New Government planning rules could still pave the way for a development free-for-all that will pollute our towns and countryside and leave people without access to public transport, Friends of the Earth is warning today (Wednesday 21 March 2012), after Chancellor George Osborne delivered the Budget.

The Chancellor announced that the Government will publish the National Planning Policy Framework on Tuesday 27 March 2012. He said it would include a presumption in favour of sustainable development, but it is still not clear whether this will address the environmental challenges we all face, like climate change and increased pressure on our water supplies.

The Government’s proposed changes to planning rules will take effect immediately, overriding local plans unless they include pro-growth policies. Friends of the Earth blames the debacle on the Prime Minister for backing the Treasury's 'growth-at-any-cost' agenda.

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

“Trashing planning rules will do nothing to develop a fair and resilient economy – we need the right kind of development in the right place, with investment in clean energy and warm, affordable homes.

"Osborne says new planning rules will protect our most precious environments but unless they address the environmental challenges we all face, Ministers will pave the way for a development free-for-all that will cost us all a fortune in the long run.

“Bringing in the changes will put local plans at risk and allow developers to ride roughshod over local communities.”

 ENDS

Notes to editor

1. The Government will publish the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) on Tuesday 27 March 2012.

2. The Government's planning rules for local authorities has been a hotbed of debate ever since draft guidance was first released for consultation last July. Friends of the Earth then called it a "developers' charter" which put the interests of business ahead of local people and the environment.

3. Friends of the Earth is calling for a planning system that has a definition of sustainable development based on the UK Strategy for Sustainable Development and:

• recognises our environmental limits – we need to plan for a changing climate and finite natural resources, which means developing cleaner energy systems, minimising waste, and not building houses on floodplains where families are struggling to get insurance;
• puts the right development in the right place – local people should have their say and local plans should not be overridden by speculative developers looking for short-term profit;
• breathes life back into our high-streets by supporting small businesses and protecting local economies from supermarket chains and out-of-town developments;
• cuts emissions from transport by providing reliable, affordable bus and tram services and encouraging safer walking and cycling – not building expensive new roads that increase traffic and worsen air pollution;
• supports the green building industry and makes sure our new homes are well insulated, energy-efficient and affordable.

4. Friends of the Earth is part of Wildlife and Countryside Link, a group of 37 voluntary organisations in the UK calling for a set of Red Lines to ensure future development is sustainable and protects wildlife. It says: 

Sustainable development must be defined in line with the current UK Sustainable Development Strategy;

• The presumption in favour of sustainable development must be designed to promote development that is sustainable, rather than development at any cost;
• The whole of the natural environment must be properly and consistently protected;
• The NPPF must achieve ‘smart growth’, meaning growth that makes efficient use of land, utilises existing infrastructure and reduces the need to travel.

For more information see www.wcl.org.uk.