PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY 1 DECEMBER 2006
Government must not exclude public debate or reach for quick fix diktats
to speed up decisions on new airports or nuclear power stations, the Town and
Country Planning Association said today.
Giving a cautious welcome to the Eddington transport study, which sets
out ‘Bank of England’ style reforms designed to speed up planning decisions, the
TCPA welcomed the recommendation that Government should establish a national
framework of priorities for infrastructure.
The TCPA’s Connecting England report, published in May, called on
Government to present its national priorities for development more clearly to
enable the planning system to deliver.
The TCPA also welcomed the proposal to establish an independent planning
commission, but warned that Government must ensure decisions are made openly,
after proper public scrutiny, and in accordance with clear sustainable development
objectives.
TCPA Chief Executive Gideon Amos said:
"We are delighted that Rod Eddington has reinforced
our calls for an independent national commission and national planning
framework to support the development of major infrastructure in a sustainable
way which boosts regional development.
“However, Government
must resist the temptation of reaching for an illusory quick fix by trying to
stifle proper scrutiny of developments that will have serious environmental,
social and economic impacts. Communities on the ground will be affected and
cannot be ignored."
Peter Hetherington who chairs the TCPA Commission on national
development issues added:
“The Eddington Report underlines the case we made in
our cross-party Connecting England report. Government must have a vision for
The TCPA also supports the proposal for widespread road user charging to
manage car use and the suggestion to make more use of existing rail routes.
However, Eddington’s failure to propose new rail routes and its advocacy of
airport expansion instead is disappointing, the TCPA said.
The Eddington transport study is published following yesterday’s refusal
of planning permission for the expansion of Stansted airport.
Responding to this, TCPA Chief Executive Gideon Amos said:
"The case for rail is proven in terms of lower carbon
emissions and positive environmental and social impacts. There is overwhelming
support from a wide range of groups on the need for a new north-south rail
line. In addition plans for thousands of new homes are crying out for new rail
links to ensure their environmental impact is as benign and sustainable as
possible. There is still a chance Government may go further than the Eddington
report on rail provision and we must encourage them to do so.
To meet pressing social needs the sustainable development charity
supports the development of additional homes in the context of well designed
communities accessed along new and existing rail corridors.
With reference to air transport, Gideon Amos added:
“The interests of the communities that bear the brunt
of aircraft traffic and those of the environment coincide. For both it would be
better to reduce air transport and locate airport capacity away from
residential areas. Current aviation policy fails to live up to these ambitions
and should be changed. If not, Ministers are sure to overturn the Stansted
decision on the basis that expanding at Heathrow does not provide sufficient
capacity for the growth levels estimated."
The TCPA Policy Statement on Aviation, published last month, called for
a reduction in the volume of air transport and a concentration of remaining
airport capacity at fewer sites in more apropriate locations. Responding to Eddington’s
conclusion that
"It strikes me as bizarre to say that a country
is well connected when it takes four hours by train between
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Notes to Editors
- The Town and
Country Planning Association (TCPA) is an
independent charity working to improve the art and science of town and
country planning. The TCPA puts social justice and the environment at the
heart of policy debate and inspires government, industry and campaigners
to take a fresh perspective on major issues, including planning policy,
housing, regeneration and climate change. Join the TCPA at www.tcpa.org.uk
- The
Eddington Transport Study is available on the Department for Transport web
site: http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_control/documents/homepage/dft_home_page.hcsp
- The
TCPA Connecting England report can be downloaded from: http://www.tcpa.org.uk/press_files/pressreleases_2006/CONNECTING_ENGLAND.pdf