Green hopes threatened by growth plans
28 August 2008
The Campaign to Protect Rural England [1] (CPRE) hopes to be able to welcome much of the new development plan for the North West, to be published in early September [2].
The Plan will set out where and how much new development there should be for housing, transport, energy, waste, retail and jobs. But CPRE is worried that late changes to the plan imposed by Whitehall against the wishes of people in the region and the advice of experts may derail its good intentions. [3]
CPRE’s Regional Policy Officer, Andy Yuille commented:
‘It’s great that Government and the regional agencies have listened and agreed to the need for strong policies on tranquillity and landscape. This is what people value about our fantastic countryside. But if central Government takes the cap off the number of houses to be built in the next 20 years, it’s hard to see how councils will be able to stick to environmental targets.
‘The Government have also signalled their intention to impose entirely new growth plans on the M6 corridor. These weren’t examined or tested at any point in the long consultation process.’
Andy Yuille continued:
‘Everyone in the region – charities, businesses, councils and members of the public – put a lot of time into discussing and agreeing the main thrust of the plan. The Government’s intervention threatens to muddy the waters and increase uncertainty for planners and developers. This could jeopardise the regeneration of Manchester and Liverpool, and damage the character of historic cities like Chester and Lancaster. So much for devolved decision-making!’
– 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 Regional Spatial Strategy for the North West will be available from www.4nw.org.uk
3. The RSS has gone through a lengthy period of consultation with regional stakeholders, with recommendations for significant changes made following an Examination in Public. The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has proposed a series of changes to the Plan, mainly based on these recommendations, but occasionally departing from them. The proposals to remove the limit on housing numbers and to prioritise settlements in the M6 corridor for growth are in direct contradiction of these recommendations. These proposed changes were consulted on and the final document is expected to be published in early-mid September.
The Plan will set out where and how much new development there should be for housing, transport, energy, waste, retail and jobs. But CPRE is worried that late changes to the plan imposed by Whitehall against the wishes of people in the region and the advice of experts may derail its good intentions. [3]
CPRE’s Regional Policy Officer, Andy Yuille commented:
‘It’s great that Government and the regional agencies have listened and agreed to the need for strong policies on tranquillity and landscape. This is what people value about our fantastic countryside. But if central Government takes the cap off the number of houses to be built in the next 20 years, it’s hard to see how councils will be able to stick to environmental targets.
‘The Government have also signalled their intention to impose entirely new growth plans on the M6 corridor. These weren’t examined or tested at any point in the long consultation process.’
Andy Yuille continued:
‘Everyone in the region – charities, businesses, councils and members of the public – put a lot of time into discussing and agreeing the main thrust of the plan. The Government’s intervention threatens to muddy the waters and increase uncertainty for planners and developers. This could jeopardise the regeneration of Manchester and Liverpool, and damage the character of historic cities like Chester and Lancaster. So much for devolved decision-making!’
– 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 Regional Spatial Strategy for the North West will be available from www.4nw.org.uk
3. The RSS has gone through a lengthy period of consultation with regional stakeholders, with recommendations for significant changes made following an Examination in Public. The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has proposed a series of changes to the Plan, mainly based on these recommendations, but occasionally departing from them. The proposals to remove the limit on housing numbers and to prioritise settlements in the M6 corridor for growth are in direct contradiction of these recommendations. These proposed changes were consulted on and the final document is expected to be published in early-mid September.
