Wildlife threatened by proposed changes in planning
9 August 2011
The Wildlife Trust is encouraging people to respond to the government’s consultation on a National Planning Policy Framework. This Framework will be critical in deciding what developments will receive planning permission in the future.
The draft Framework was published in July with a deadline for comments of 17th October.
The Wildlife Trust is concerned that whilst talking about ‘sustainable development’ in the opening paragraphs the draft Framework then goes on to promote a presumption for development. This presumption sits uncomfortably with the government’s promotion of localism where such decisions should be delegated away from Whitehall. Such a presumption also challenges the very concept of sustainable development as that requires testing developments against economic, environmental and social objectives. Similarly the draft framework suggests that developers need not be obliged to deliver benefits for the community if they do believe those needs undermine the profitability of the development.
The Trust has welcomed the government’s White Paper on the Natural Environment published in June. This policy document emphasised the important of planning to the natural environment. We look to the government to join up the thinking of the White Paper with the draft planning framework.
View the Natural Environment White Paper.
See more: http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/news/2011/07/26/wildlife-rich-areas-risk-under-new-planning-framework
