Group calls urgent discussions on planning reforms

Environmental pressure group Friends of the Earth Cymru is organising an urgent discussion day to discuss Government proposals to shake-up the planning system in Wales. The day will be held in Abergavenny on 25 May and is open to community groups, councillors and anyone interested in the planning system. Entry to the event will be free.

The group has been prompted to organise the event after UK Planning Minister Lord Falconer told a House of Commons Committee that the Government plans would mean decisions on major infrastructure projects (such as roads, quarries, reservoirs and chemical works) being taken by Parliament rather than local authorities or the Welsh Assembly. [1]

Friends of the Earth Cymru reacted angrily to Lord Falconer's suggestion and is calling on politicians, community groups and individuals around Wales to join its campaign for:

• Major planning decisions about Wales to be taken in Wales
• Justice for communities in the planning system
• A system which encourages everyone to participate

Participants at the day will also discuss Assembly proposals to change the planning system for non-major developments.

Speaking at the day will be:

• Dr Hugh Ellis, Friends of the Earth's Planning Adviser
• Mike Webb, Planning Officer for RSPB Cymru, and
• Julian Rosser, Head of Campaigns and Development at Friends of the Earth Cymru.

Julian Rosser, FOE Cymru Head of Campaigns commented:

"Some people think the planning system is boring until someone applies to build a power station over the road from them. The planning system shapes our environment and has a major effect on everybody in Wales. It is a key way that people get involved in local democracy and play a role in making real decisions about their areas.

"The UK Government plans for the system are absurd. Tony Blair talks up devolution but Lord Falconer talks about taking powers away from the Assembly. They talk about involving people in democracy but their plans would take away people's rights to oppose the principle of developments at Public Inquiries.

"The day in Abergavenny will introduce people to the planning system and explain the changes planned by the Government. We will then discuss what people in Wales can do to get the sort of fair, efficient planning system we would like to see."

Notes

1. Lord Falconer, UK Minister for Planning, addressed a House of Commons Select Committee on Tuesday 7 May about his proposals for Parliament to take decisions on major infrastructure developments. On more than one occasion, Lord Falconer said that the plans would apply to England and Wales. This is despite the fact that UK Government consultation papers on the issue said that it would apply to England only. A FOE Cymru press release following Lord Falconer's comments is available from FOE Cymru.