An online map highlighting the location of over one hundred new developments in England and Wales that could be forced through, if the Government gets its way over changes to the planning system, is being launched today. The map was developed by The Planning Disaster Coalition and includes information on new nuclear power stations, incinerators and roads.
The current planning system allows people to be part of the decision making process. They can have their say on proposals for major developments such as new roads or nuclear power stations. But reforms proposed in the Government's White Paper on planning will remove the public's democratic right to challenge projects at public inquiry. Planning decisions will also be taken out of the hands of accountable politicians and handed over to an unelected, unaccountable new body called the Infrastructure Planning Commission.
Planning Disaster, a coalition of Britain's leading environment organisations representing over five million members, is concerned that the changes will allow developers to push through major projects that could have a catastrophic impact on communities, the countryside and the wider environment. It is calling on the Government to rethink the Planning White Paper and introduce a planning system which allows people a real and meaningful say in how their area is developed.
Planning Disaster Coalition Coordinator Owen Espley said: "We developed the planning disaster map so that people can see how changes to the planning system could affect their area. The map shows many major new developments which could be forced through by Government - with local people effectively prevented from having a say. Anyone who is concerned can email the Government at www.planningdisaster.co.uk".
