Government proposals for streamlining planning procedures for new nuclear power stations will drastically reduce local people’s right to voice their opposition at a public inquiry, countryside campaigners CPRE {1} warn today (Tuesday).

For example, under the proposed new planning rules {2}, the site of a planned nuclear plant will be decided at national level and not be open to discussion at a public inquiry. The hearing will deal only with 'local issues'.

As public consultation on these proposals draws to a close, CPRE will be putting forward a strong argument to retain people's existing right to challenge nuclear power stations and other major energy developments at public planning inquiries {3}.

CPRE planning campaigner Amanda Brace said: 'These proposals risk igniting public opposition to new nuclear power stations. And they may be open to the challenge of restricting human rights'.

'The Government is in danger of undermining the role of the planning system by restricting public involvement in major decisions. If people can't give their views at a public hearing, public confidence in decision-making will be lost. By shutting people out of decisions on the biggest, most damaging developments the Government is storing up trouble for itself.'

Amanda Brace concluded:

'Any proposals to weaken the public's voice in future planning decisions will only intensify concern over nuclear power and other large energy installations, making long-term solutions harder to find. In tackling our energy needs, effective spatial planning and public consultation should be seen as part of the solution, not part of the problem.'

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NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. CPRE, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is a charity which promotes the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England. We advocate positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside. Founded in 1926, we have 60,000 supporters and a branch in every county. President: Sir Max Hastings. Patron: Her Majesty The Queen.

2. The Energy Challenge: Energy Review Report 2006 was published by DTi on 14 July 2006. Annex A of the report is A Consultation on the Proposed Policy Framework for New Nuclear Build. Box A5 of the consultation document says that there will be a ‘strategic assessment of potential sites for new nuclear power stations’ starting in early 2007. This process will look at the criteria for selecting sites and involve public consultation. The form and level of consultation are important as the proposed policy framework states that once this strategic assessment of sites has been undertaken and consulted on, public inquiries will not be expected to reassess the suitability of the site for a new nuclear plant and should only address ‘local issues’. The consultation deadline is 31 October.

The Energy Challenge also outlines proposals to change the rules for public inquiries with regard to energy infrastructure projects. A consultation paper on the new rules for public inquiries called under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 is planned for late 2006. This consultation is part of a broader Government initiative to reform the planning system with respect to major infrastructure projects (MIPs) in order to speed up decisions on MIPs and tackle what the report calls ‘barriers to developers of energy infrastructure’. The changes will bring public inquiries for major energy infrastructure projects into line with the MIPS 2005 rules. These proposals are related to the Eddington Study and Barker Review and the results of all three processes will be considered together later in 2006.

3. CPRE will argue that public inquiries need to explore the full range of issues relating to any proposal for a new nuclear reactor and for a Strategic Environmental Assessment of the site assessment programme with public involvement at the site assessment stage.