Archived press release

New Infrastructure Planning Commission fails to give people a proper say on major projects

1 October 2009

Today [1 October 2009] marks the first day of the Infrastructure Planning Commission, appointed by the Government to make decisions on major infrastructure projects such as airports, roads, and power stations and reducing people's right to have a say on what happens in their own communities.

Friends of the Earth remains deeply concerned that under the Planning Act 2008, decisions will be made by unelected Commissioners who are unaccountable to the public - making it increasingly difficult for ordinary people to engage in local decision-making. There is also no legal duty on the IPC to consider the climate change impacts of major infrastructure projects.

Friends of the Earth's Planning Advisor, Hugh Ellis, said: "The IPC is an unelected, undemocratic body - the new Commissioners aren't directly accountable to the people their decisions will affect.

"It's going to be very difficult for local people to get their voices heard, especially with key documents being so technical and opportunities to attend inquiries so few. If people are unhappy with the process they'll have to take the matter to court, which is extremely difficult and costly.

"The IPC has no duty to properly consider the climate change impact of major projects such as roads and airports. If we are going to make the transition to a clean, green economy, the Commission must refuse carbon-intensive developments."

Friends of the Earth has campaigned to safeguard people's rights, promote democratic accountability, and ensure that climate change is considered in national planning law, ever since the original Barker report in 2005.

The organisation ran a high profile campaign to strengthen the Planning Bill which saw more than 30,000 people write to their MP to call for the Bill to include consideration of climate change, for local people to have a say in decisions which affect their area and for a democratically elected body to have the final say on big projects.

Notes to Editors

1. The Planning Bill was given Royal Assent alongside the Climate Change and
Energy Bills, on 27 November 2008. The legislation removes a historic, democratic decision-making process about major infrastructure projects and fails to include any reference to climate change.
http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/royal_assent_26112008.html

2. In June 2008 a Friends of the Earth survey revealed that nine out of ten
people want a say on planning decisions affecting their local area and believe that climate change should be taken into account when considering the impact of big projects. Almost two thirds of people want planning decisions to be taken by councils rather than the Government.
http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/nine_out_of_ten_want_a_say_24062008.html

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust