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COMMUNITIES FACE AIRPORT THREAT

01 Mar 2002

Oppose planning reforms before it's too late says FOE

Friends of the Earth today warned local people across the country to take reports about plans for new airports and runways seriously [1]. They also urged them to oppose Government plans to fast-track the planning system [2]. These plans would severely restrict the right of local people to oppose major projects such as new airports and runways.

Elaine Gilligan, Planning Campaigner at Friends of the Earth said:

“People around the UK should be very worried about reported plans to build new airports and expand existing ones. If these reports are correct, stopping these proposals may be difficult because the Government wants to change the planning system to limit our right to object to such developments. People should oppose these planning reforms before it's too late.”

“The air industry has a major impact on the environment both locally and globally. It must not be allowed to expand with such little regard for the enormous damage it causes. The Government must come up with a policy that doesn't just benefit its friends in high places.”

[1]     Today's FT reports that the Government is considering building a new airport on marshland on the Thames Estuary at Cliffe, east of Gravesend. The paper says plans include potential new runways at Stansted, Gatwick and Heathrow.

[2]     Late last year (17 December) the Government announced that it wanted to fast-track the planning system for major projects such as airports, roads, ports and nuclear power stations. These plans would mean that public inquiries would no longer be held into such controversial projects. Instead, initial approval would be given by Ministers, with Parliament making the key decisions, probably on a Party whip. 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. Under the Government's consultation plans, people have until 22 March to object.

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