Archived press release

Government unveils plans to fast-track major developments

9 November 2009

Commenting on today's publication by the Government of draft National Policy Statements aimed at fast-tracking the building of major infrastructure projects such as power stations, Friends of the Earth's planning coordinator Naomi Luhde-Thompson said:

"The planning system needs urgent reform to enable this country to develop a low-carbon economy - but Government attempts to speed up the approval process mustn't undermine UK action on climate change.

"The effect of these policy statements on the UK's legally-binding carbon budgets is crucial - individual decisions on power stations and roads must only be made if the cumulative impact that they have on total carbon emissions has been properly considered.

"The Government's obsession with building new nuclear reactors is a dangerous and expensive distraction, creating a legacy of radioactive waste that will remain highly dangerous for thousands of years and cost tax-payers billions of pounds to manage.

"We should be investing in the UK's huge renewable energy potential and slashing energy waste, creating thousands of new jobs, meeting our energy needs and securing a safer, cleaner future for us all."

ENDS

1. Last month (12 October 2009) the Government's official climate advisor, the Committee on Climate Change, warned that "a step change is required in the pace of UK emissions reduction to meet carbon budgets, and that in some areas, new policy approaches will be required to deliver the Government's Low Carbon Transition Plan."

2. Friends of the Earth says that the National Policy Statements must clearly set out the impact of developments on UK carbon emissions and how they will deliver on the UK's carbon budgets - set out by the Climate Change Act. The environmental campaign group warns that the Government could be open to a legal challenge if it does not properly consider climate change.

3. Friends of the Earth is also concerned that the NPS will severely limit people's ability to have a say in decisions on major projects. Schemes covered by the NPS will not be subject to public inquiry as happens at the moment - this will be replaced instead by limited open floor hearings with no public right to bring witnesses or to conduct cross-examination.

4. Last month a coalition of organisations, led by Friends of the Earth and the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA), called on the Government to put planning at the heart of the English planning system.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust