These proposals would undermine one of the key principles of the planning system, its democratic accountability, and place narrow economic considerations above the long term aim of securing environmentally sustainable development.

This was CPRE’s [1] reaction to key aspects of today’s announcement by the Government of its review of ‘sub-national economic development and regeneration’ [2].

Neil Sinden, CPRE’s Policy Director, said:

‘Giving the Regional Development Agencies responsibility for planning [3] is like putting a fox in charge of the hen house. We have seen little evidence from these bodies of a commitment to truly sustainable development. And the idea that unelected development quangos should be responsible for developing planning policy beggars belief.

‘Our recent research [4] shows how Regional Assemblies have worked hard to secure environmentally sustainable development but have been frustrated by the Government’s approach to economic development. There is a need for regional reforms but not the kind being proposed today. If carried through, these proposals would only make matters much worse.’

Neil Sinden concluded:

‘For all their weaknesses, the Assemblies at least enjoyed some degree of democratic accountability. The idea of transferring regional planning responsibilities to bodies whose primary role is to promote economic growth should send a shiver down the spine of all those concerned about sustainable development.’

– END –

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: Bill Bryson. Patron: Her Majesty The Queen.

2. The review was announced by the Chancellor in March 2006 to inform the Comprehensive Spending Review. It has been led by the Treasury and there has been little consultation with environmental groups.

3. Paragraph 6.102 of the review states: ‘ …..the RDAs will assume executive responsibilities for planning and transport strategy development currently residing in the Regional Assemblies. The RDAs will be formally designated as the Regional Planning Body (RPB)…..’ We would welcome a single over-arching strategy for each region but these should be the responsibility of a democratically accountable body with a strong sustainable development duty.

4. The report How Green is My Region? commissioned by CPRE, Friends of the Earth England and WWF-UK was published on 12 July.