UK NEWS

'STEAMROLLER' FEARS OVER HUGE SHAKE-UP FOR PLANNING LAWS

Tuesday May 22,2007

By John Ingham, Environment Editor

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CONTROVERSIAL proposals for nuclear power stations, roads and runways could be “steamrollered” through under the biggest shake-up of planning laws in 20 years, critics warned.

But the system will become “better and faster” as major projects are decided by an independent commission, Local Government Secretary Ruth Kelly said.

Projects given this fast-track process could include power plants, motorway widening schemes, rail lines, waste incinerators and reservoirs. And residents will get a chance to object at “open floor” debates held by the commission.

Later this week the Government will publish its new Energy White Paper which is expected to signal support for new nuclear power plants.

Ms Kelly, who once objected to housing developments in her own constituency, also pledged to “simplify” local planning to make it easier for home owners to build extensions or install solar panels.

She said the new law would make the system “better focused, fairer, faster and more accessible for all”.

This White Paper is clearly intended to open the door to new nuclear power stations and airports

Greenpeace director John Sauven

Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling said there was a need to “streamline” the process to give residents a say and cut delays.

But critics claim the shake-up will make it harder for residents to object to plans that affect their communities and could lead to more out-of-town shopping centres. But business chiefs and property developers said it would boost the economy.

The plans are intended to prevent major projects being constantly delayed by public inquiries, such as Heathrow Terminal 5, which was held up for seven years. Decisions even for the biggest jobs would be limited in most cases to just nine months.

Shadow Local Government secretary Caroline Spelman said the Tories would “vigorously oppose” the plans. And Friends of the Earth said: “The Government is trying to steamroller through major infrastructure projects and weaken local democracy. It is using the prospect of making it easier to build conservatories as a smokescreen.”

And Greenpeace director John Sauven said the proposal would undermine the Government’s own battle against climate change.

He said: “This White Paper is clearly intended to open the door to new nuclear power stations and airports, which will take the UK’s fight against climate change backwards.”

But CBI director general Richard Lambert welcomed “the signal this legislation sends out”.

He added: “The current system is not working and many vital developments have become bogged down in a quagmire of red tape and bureaucracy.”