Archived press release

Government to fast-track planning - FOE lawyers to study details

17 December 2001

On Monday (17 December) the Government is expected to publish details of its controversial plans to fast-track the planning system for major projects such as airports, roads, ports and nuclear power stations. Friends of the Earth lawyers will be closely studying the proposals to ensure they comply with human rights and environmental protection legislation. The announcement comes less than a week after the Planning Green Paper, outlining proposals to streamline the planning system (12 December).

Government plans would mean that public inquiries - like the one currently considering a massive port development at Dibden Bay [1] - would no longer be held into such controversial projects. Instead, initial approval would be given by Ministers, with Parliament making the key decision. Public inquiries would not question the need for the development and only deal with local details. Friends of the Earth believes this will be bad news for the environment and citizens rights.

The Government has highlighted the 'delay' in approving Terminal 5 as a reason for fast-tracking planning - even though most delay was caused by either the Government and BAA, not the objectors. In fact only 10 projects in the past 15 years had public inquiries lasting more than 3 months.

Hugh Ellis, Planning Campaigner at Friends of the Earth said:

“Christmas has come early for developers. Government plans to overhaul the planning system represent a big threat to the environment and will severely limit the rights of local people to object to controversial developments. Friends of the Earth lawyers will examine the details very closely when they are finally published.

“The Government wants Parliament to decide whether a community gets an airport, port or road in their neighbourhood. Local people will only have a say on smaller issues - such as what colour to paint the gates at their new nuclear power station.”

[1] A Public Inquiry into plans by Associated British Ports to build a massive 202 hectare super-port at Dibden Bay, an internationally important wildlife site, began last week. The project is opposed by local people and environmental groups including Friends of the Earth. Dibden Bay is the type of project that the Government wants to fast-track.

FOE has produced briefings on Planning; Dibden Bay and the 'delays' at Terminal 5

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust