Regional planning responsibilities could be passed to Regional Development Agencies if recently proposed amendments to the Planning Bill are accepted. Significant concerns about the democratic accountability of these Agencies have yet to be resolved and the legislation must not be altered until these fears have been addressed.

This was the Campaign to Protect Rural England’s [1] reaction to the amendments which have been tabled by the Minister for Local Government, John Healey MP, and are expected to be debated at the Planning Bill Committee.

Fiona Howie, CPRE’s Senior Regional Policy Officer, said:

‘The Government announced its intention to move regional planning responsibilities from the, at least partially accountable, Regional Assemblies to the Regional Development Agencies, which are quangos, in July 2007 [2].  At the time we raised concerns about the lack of accountability this would bring to regional planning. Until our concerns about democratic accountability have been resolved these changes must not be rushed through.

‘Since we have found out about the proposed amendments civil servants have stated that the legislation, if passed, aims to enable the Agencies to employ planners during this transition period, before they take on full responsibility in 2010. However we believe the amendments would enable far more wide ranging powers to be delegated to the agencies than that. Submitting amendments at this late stage reduces the ability of stakeholders to raise their concerns and for MPs to thoroughly consider the implications of them.’

Fiona Howie concluded:

‘A consultation on how best the Regional Development Agencies should be scrutinised is due out this month.  To try to make this amendment to the Planning Bill, before the consultation has even been launched, makes a mockery of claims that participating in consultation exercises can influence the development of policy.’

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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: Bill Bryson. Patron: Her Majesty The Queen. www.cpre.org.uk

2. The Review of Sub-National Economic Development and Regeneration was published by HM Treasury, the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and the Department for Communities and Local Government in July 2007. 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)….’