‘The new Infrastructure Planning Commission must champion the environment and the public interest if it is to succeed.  We will be watching closely to see how it performs.’

This was the warning to be given today (Thursday) by CPRE’s [1] Policy and Campaigns Director, Neil Sinden, at an event in London to launch the new Commission [2] where he will be speaking alongside its Chairman, Sir Michael Pitt.

CPRE has produced four key tests [3] for the Commission and is calling for it to be:

• An environmental champion – to say no to major infrastructure schemes where they would cause unacceptable environmental damage or reduce our ability to meet our targets for tackling climate change;

• An independent judge – free from undue influence by developer interests and prepared to question Government policy on infrastructure development where necessary;

• A defender of democracy – to ensure that local communities and civil society groups can have a meaningful role at planning inquiries by questioning developers directly and having the resources to make a strong case; and

• An efficient decision-maker - ensuring that the operation of the IPC does not cost any more or create greater delays in decision-making than previous arrangements for planning of nationally significant infrastructure projects.

 Neil Sinden will say:

‘The Commission needs to rise to the twin challenges of securing public confidence in its decisions and safeguarding the environment.  CPRE intends to monitor the Commission’s performance closely.  The country needs a democratic planning system capable of delivering truly sustainable development.  We want to engage constructively with the Commission to help achieve that.’

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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 Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) was created under the Planning Act 2008  and came into being on 1 October 2009.  The launch event takes place at Church House, Wesminster from 10am-3pm and will be opened by Sir Michael Pitt.

3.  CPRE’s Four Tests for the Infrastructure Planning Commission are set out in a briefing paper, available here..