The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) [1] today (Monday) expressed alarm at a Government review into the planning system [2] recommending that local authorities should be able to choose whether to publish planning applications in local newspapers or not.

CPRE planning campaigner Richard Moseley said:

‘This recommendation could leave local people unaware of development proposals which might affect them. We fear that local authorities will resort to doing the bare minimum when advertising planning applications in their area and not advertise in their local papers.

‘With limited resources at their disposal it is likely that some local councils will prioritise the things they have to do and not things they ought to do.’

CPRE expressed cautious support for many of the other 16 recommendations made by the review.

Richard Moseley concluded:

‘We believe that many of the recommendations to be sensible and fair. We hope to work closely with Government in taking these forward for the benefit of local communities. But anything that leaves local people in the dark should be avoided.’

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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 Killian Pretty Review – Planning Applications: A faster and more responsive system (Final Report), November 2008. The review was set up in March 2008 with the aim of identifying measures to help deliver a faster and more responsive system for dealing with planning applications.