Keep planning process democratic

The UK Government’s new Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) will soon decide on all new major infrastructure projects, including nuclear and coal power stations.

National Policy Statements (NPS) will set UK government policy, and provide the basis for the IPC’s decisions. But the consultation and parliamentary scrutiny process to look at these NPS is very short and inadequate.

We believe that much more time should be spent on ensuring that the policy is properly looked at, with a real opportunity for people to influence the decisions made.

Friends of the Earth Cymru wants to ensure the NPS on energy:

• Takes into account Welsh Assembly Government’s policies on energy and planning
• Tackles climate change
• Prioritises energy from renewable resources such as tidal and wind

Please write to your MP and ask them to sign a parliamentary petition (EDM 545) calling on the Government to rethink the process.

---

It's a three step process:

1. Find your local MP
2. Choose a contact method
3. Send a letter by email, fax or print out to post*

Step 1 of 3: Find your local MP   

Type your postcode in the box below and press Go:

Postcode:
  Enter a postcode please

I am very concerned that the current consultation and parliamentary process is not sufficient to ensure that the National Policy Statements are properly scrutinized. These are hugely influential documents which could lock us into a high carbon future in the UK. The issues and policies set out should be the subject of public debate. People who are directly affected should be able to provide evidence and bring witnesses, particularly as the Nuclear National Policy statement will remove issues such as need and safety from discussion at the public examination into a development application. There should also be assurances that Welsh Assembly Government's policies on energy and planning are taken into account for projects in Wales. In June 2009, the UK Government made certain commitments with regard to the consultation process which have not been met. Please could you add your name to EDM 545 which asks the Government to reconsider the current process.

* Some MPs do not have an email address and/or fax number. Only contact methods that are available will be shown.

Discuss "Keep planning process democratic" in our forum