Archived press release

Brown threatens green belt assault

15 July 2002

Chancellor Gordon Brown today announced controversial plans to relax planning controls as part of his report on the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review. Mr Brown’s statement is likely to be the first of a number of expected announcements on controversial planning and development issues, before the House of Common’s enters its summer recess on 24 July. The Chancellor promised new “Planning Zones” where no planning control would apply. (can we mention 2000 figure quoted in FT last week) , as well as moves to encourage new airport capacity.

These changes mean that major developments could face weak planning laws and could be pushed through at the expense of the quality of life for people, in particular in the South East. Other regions will also lose out as the South East becomes the main focal point of the national economy, widening the inequalities that already exist with other regions.

The planning system must not be blamed for the Government's failure to deliver sustainable development through its economic policy. It has failed to curb the over heating of the South East. A recent Government Committee on planning criticised the Government's theory that the planning system inhibits economic growth as based on "anecdote and prejudice''.

Hugh Ellis, Planning Campaigner at Friends of the Earth said:
"It seems a ridiculous piece of limelight-hogging for the Chancellor to give a statement on planning issues, when the Deputy Prime Minister is due to make an announcement about highly controversial changes to the planning system only a few days later. People may rightly question who was in charge of this important issue.

Allowing big business to concrete over large parts of the South East would be extremely bad news for local communities and the environment. The Chancellor should concentrate on tackling the long term problem of the widening inequalities between the South East and other regions, and on promoting sustainable economic development. Planning new airports and sacrificing the greenbelt is a poor and damaging substitute."

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust