Legal Updates

Government ''has reneged on planning consultation promises''

Date:  12 Aug 2008

The current planning bill has been criticised for a failure to involve local communities, according to one planning lawyer.

Speaking to the Lawyer.com, Claire Dutch claims ministers have failed to follow through with pledges on consultation, with "a scratch beneath" revealing that publicly-stated targets had not been met.

The bill, currently being considered by the House of Lords, would see an independent Infrastructure Planning ¬Commission (IPC) established to rule on applications for major infrastructure projects such as airports, nuclear power stations and motorways.

According to Ms Dutch, national policy statements (NPSs) establishing the government''s stance on such developments, will help force planning permission in many cases - regardless of public opinion – since the IPC will be bound by them.

She adds: "The reality must be that the community will not be spurred into action to respond to general governmental policy set out in a draft NPS until a concrete proposal comes forward in their local area – by which time it will be too late for the community to challenge the principle of the proposal."

"Furthermore, there will not automatically be a public inquiry into the proposed infrastructure project."

In June 2088, MPs voted against an amendment to the bill which would have given the secretary of state the final say on major projects.

Vizards Tweedie specialise in all aspects of commercial and residential property work

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