Press release

More planning power for businesses risks urban sprawl

16 May 2011

Too much power for businesses and vague wording in the Localism Bill could give way to 'free for all' development and urban sprawl, Friends of the Earth warns today (Monday 16 May 2011) as MPs prepare to vote on the Localism Bill.

The green campaigning charity has written to Localism Minister Greg Clark with concerns about recent amendments to the Localism Bill - which reaches report stage in Parliament this week (Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 May 2011) - that will enable businesses to bypass the planning system and obtain planning permission for new commercial developments without having to consult the local authority.

Friends of the Earth argues that this is exacerbated by the lack of an explicit definition of sustainable development in the Bill, which leaves wording open to interpretation by businesses who may seek to develop areas for commercial gain at the expense of local communities, wildlife and the environment.

Friends of the Earth is calling on the Government to put sustainable development at the heart of the planning system and to amend the Localism Bill to include a new statutory definition of sustainable development.

Friends of the Earth's Executive Director Andy Atkins said:

"The Localism Bill is becoming a sham - giving more planning power to businesses without proper safeguards is unfair and risks paving the way to a development 'free for all' at the expense of people and wildlife.

"As well as boosting local economies, businesses have a vital role to play in cutting carbon emissions and protecting the natural environment - we need a policy framework that ensures they will deliver.

"To protect future generations and build a greener, fairer future, Ministers must properly define sustainable development and place it firmly at the heart of the Localism Bill, Big Society, and the entire planning system."

ENDS

Notes to editor

1.   According to the Localism Bill, communities will be able to draw up plans to set out the kind of development they want to see in their local area that are then subject to referendum. Last week (Wednesday 11 May 2011) the Coalition unveiled a series of amendments to the Bill that extends this role to businesses, who - as part of 'Business Neighbourhoods' - will be able to vote alongside residents on local development proposals and set up plans themselves for "promoting the carrying on of trades, professions or other businesses in such an area". For specific types of development, these groups will not have to go through a local authority to get planning permission.

2.   In a letter to Localism Minister Greg Clark on Friday (13 May 2011), Friends of the Earth's Executive Director Andy Atkins expressed fears that the planning system was being used to fast-track economic growth, without the right policy framework in place to ensure that new developments help cut carbon emissions and restore wildlife habitats.

3.   On the first year anniversary of David Cameron's pledge to lead the 'greenest government ever', Friends of the Earth and 14 other charities also wrote to David Cameron on Saturday (14 May 2011) to call on the Government to 'prioritise stronger environmental protection' in its proposals for localism and land use planning.

4.   Friends of the Earth is calling on MPs from all parties to support Joan Walley's amendment to the Localism Bill to include a legal definition of sustainable development to help communities protect their local area from unsuitable developments.

5.   In a joint statement with other NGOs Friends of the Earth is calling for the following definition of sustainable development to be applied to planning:

'Sustainable development' means development that meets the social, economic and environmental needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs including the application of the following principles:

• living within environmental limits;
• ensuring a strong healthy and just society;
• achieving a sustainable economy;
• promoting good governance;
• using sound science responsibly.

6.   A Friends of the Earth briefing on the Localism Bill, and copies of Friends of the Earth's letter to Greg Clark, joint NGO letter to David Cameron, and joint NGO statement on sustainable development in the Localism Bill, are available from Friends of the Earth's press office.

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