New Labour's fast track planning system

[info@urgent.org.uk]

>From the Campaign for Planning Sanity.

Sent: Saturday, May 19, 2001 12:51 PM
Subject: LABOUR - Speeding up the planning system


Below is a media release sent out today, please copy and distribute, and/or
make representationlocally to Labour candidates not to support a policy of
'speeding up' the planning system.
Chris
CfPS HEADING
LOCAL COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR ADVERSE PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS
20 OUTWOOD ROAD – RADCLIFFE – GTR MANCHESTER – M26 1AQ
TEL: 0161-959 0999 : FAX: 0161-959 1001
EMAIL: planning at onlincam.freeserve.co.uk : WEB:
http://www.onlincam.freeserve.co.uk
MEDIA RELEASE - FOR IMMEIDATE RELEASE - 19th May 2001
LABOUR SET TO PUT LOCAL COMMUNITIES NATIONWIDE UNDER DURESS
The Labour Parties manifesto promise to 'reform the planning system to speed
up the decision making process' will reduce the ability of local communities
concerned about the adverse effects of development proposals on their areas
to have those real concerns considered.
At present one of the most widely given complaint on development proposals
that CfPS receives from local residents is that they were not aware of the
proposals until it was too late. The statutory time for objections to be
lodged at the moment is 21 days. Whilst this can be sufficient time for the
uninformed to write heart felt letters of objection (which cannot form a
material planning consideration) it does not allow any time for the
submission of a reasoned argument against a proposal (or indeed support).
Any reduction in this time limit would be devastating to those communities
affected, who will have to live with the consequences for years to come.
CfPS Chair Chris Maile commented: "An adverse development proposal can cause
local residents undue stress not simply when the application is being
proposed but for the lifetime of the development. Yet they have few rights
in the decision making process, they do not have a right of appeal, even
when the development may affect their health, such as in the case of
incinerators or phone masts. Labours proposals will make matters worse, by
speeding up the system many more developments will be approved without
sufficient local debate, or representation being taken into account. That
has to be wrong, and must be resisted".
There is great need for the overhauling of the planning system, not simply
to speed the process up, but to ensure that proposals are given the debate
they deserve before the decision to grant permission is made. CfPS therefore
urges all political parties to adopt the following as their respective party
policies, and if elected to office to work towards implementing the policy.
Publicity for all planning applications to include notices in the local
media on at least two occasions, sites notices posted in prominent
positions, and letters outlining the proposals delivered to all homes and
businesses within the locality of the proposed development;
The public to have a right to access to ALL documents and reports that form
part of a planning application, or have been considered as part of that
application. Copies of all documents to be made available in principle and
local council offices as well as local libraries throughout the period of
consultations;
At present there is no standard approach to the payment for copies of
documents with local authorities charging fees ranging from 20p to £30 for
one A4 copy, therefore in extreme cases making it unaffordable for local
residents to obtain copies. The cost of copies of standard A4 pages should
be no greater than 10p per printed page. Similar appropriate fees to be set
as standard for large scale copies of plans, and for colour copies.
A 42 day period of consultation for all proposals, such period to be
extended to 56 days for all proposals that are on sites greater than 1
hectare. With a further period of consultation, where alterations are
submitted, environmental and other investigative reports published;
The public to have a statutory right to address planning meetings on any
proposal on the agenda;
A introduction of a statutory right of third parties to lodge appeals to
both the Courts and Planning Inspectorate. Local community groups to be
given the same rights of hearing at public inquiries, to cross examine, call
evidence and make representations as other statutory parties.
A new environmental division of the High Court should be established to hear
all planning and other environmental cases, the judges in this new division
to be specialist in environmental and planning law. The Planning
Inspectorate to become part of this new division, with inspectors having
similar powers to district judges, and to be independent of the Secretary of
State, or any other branch of Government involved in the decision making, or
policy making process.
The overall aim of the above policy outline is to give greater rights, than
at present, to those that have to live with the consequences of development
proposals.
END.
Editors Note: For more information telephone 0161 959 0999.
The following is the relevant extract from the Labour Party Manifesto.
'Labour will reform the planning system to speed up the decision making
process. Promote the most efficient use of land, and strike the right
balance of environmental protection, safer communities and economic growth'.
Campaign for Planning Sanity - http://www.onlincam.freeserve.co.uk
Local community support for adverse planning & development applications


 

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