Planning Bill postcard handover

1 February 2008

Friends of the Earth campaigners have handed the Planning Bill Committee hundreds of lobbying postcards (4th February). They were signed by concerned members of the public worried about the Bill's proposals.

The handover follows a Friends of the Earth local group action which collected over 1,300 cards in a matter of hours, despite poor winter weather.

Committee considers

The Committee also heard evidence from Friends of the Earth on Tuesday 10th January.

It has now finished taking evidence and will consider the Bill behind closed doors before sending the amended Bill back to MPs for further debate in March.

The impact of the Planning Bill on democracy, a meaningful right to be heard in inquiries and the environment are of huge concern to people.

Hugh Ellis, Planning Advisor, Friends of the Earth

The Planning Bill should ensure:

• Democratic accountability
  The Secretary of State must remain responsible for decisions on major developments.
• Sustainable development
  A strong duty to promote sustainable development in major development proposals.
• Right to be heard
  Public right to be heard in person must be guaranteed for all stages of the inquiry process.
• Climate Change
  Duty on Ministers and the "Infrastructure Planning Commission" to ensure new developments reduce carbon emissions.