Government told to rethink planning shake-up

21 December 2011

MPs on Wednesday told ministers to scrap their proposals to streamline planning for England.

A report by a cross-party committee of MPs said the proposed reforms risk "poorly planned or unsustainable development". 

Bin "the golden thread"

Planning minister Greg Clark had called a presumption in favour of sustainable development "the golden thread" in his draft of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

But the Commons Community and Local Government (CLG) Committee says development guidance has been cut so much as to now be unhelpfully vague.

Proper balance needed

Friends of the Earth's Naomi Luhde-Thompson agrees with the committee of MPs saying the draft NPPF puts business interests first.

Local people must have their voices heard rather than developers having ever more new superstores, roads and shopping centres waved through regardless of people's views.

Naomi Luhde-Thompson, Planning and Policy Advisor, Friends of the Earth

What's missing?

Friends of the Earth believes that the planning system must steer England clear of a planning free for all. It must support new green industries and infrastructure, affordable homes and protection for the environment.

But the Government's plan should include:

• A vision for development in England which is within planetary limits.
• Recognition of natural constraints on development like flooding and drought.
• Planning that is in line with the needs and desires of local communities and delivers clear benefits to them.

What you can do:

Please help stop the planning free for all by clicking here.