Big planning and transport reviews could have a huge impact on rural areas and the wider environment

Environmental issues are rising up the political agenda – and Chancellor Gordon Brown’s Pre-Budget Statement on Wednesday, December 6 will be closely scrutinised for its green content. But just as important for the environment and the countryside will be the findings of two Treasury-commissioned major reviews whose publication is imminent.

2. Tomorrow (Friday) sees the publication of former British Airways Chief Executive Sir Rod Eddington’s study looking at the long-term impact of transport decisions on the UK's productivity, stability and growth. And top economist Kate Barker’s review of land use planning, focusing on the link between planning and economic growth, is also about to be published.

3. Both reviews could have major implications for the rate at which our countryside is lost to new development and for the wider environment, particularly emissions of climate-changing carbon dioxide emissions. CPRE will be commenting on their findings.

4. And we will be paying close attention to what the Chancellor says in his speech about land-use planning, following on from the announcement in The Queen’s Speech this month that the Government would bring forward proposals to reform the planning system. Mr Brown has claimed that the planning system blocks needed development, including housing and major infrastructure, but CPRE defends it as one of our most important tools for environmental protection and sustainable development.

5. There is also renewed interest in the role taxes and other fiscal instruments can play in protecting the environment. CPRE and others are pushing for a reformed VAT regime which puts refurbishment and conversion of existing buildings on a completely equal VAT footing with new build. This change would be a major boost to urban regeneration, encouraging re-use of existing buildings before building new homes on greenfields.

6. We have commissioned an independent consultant’s report examining the interim findings of Kate Barker’s review, published earlier this year. Copies of its conclusions and/or the entire report are available from CPRE’s press office.