Government policy should not force decisions on major infrastructure projects regardless of evidence of serious environmental harm, or the views of local communities.

The Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) and local authorities should ensure environmental impacts are properly and fairly considered in the new process for deciding major infrastructure projects.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) [1] says that the new National Policy Statements (NPSs) due out today (Monday) should clearly set out how this is to be done. NPSs will be a key consideration for decisions on some of the most controversial new developments, including new nuclear plants and large wind farms.

Fiona Howie, CPRE’s Head of Planning and Regions, said:

‘CPRE supports the principle of NPSs but they will need to reinforce, not override, established policies to protect the environment and tackle climate change, if they are to deliver the sustainable development we need. They should not be given greater weight than existing Planning Policy Statements [2] which address important environmental objectives.’

Fiona Howie continued:

‘We will be looking to the NPSs to ensure that major development does not result in serious damage to, or loss of, the countryside, and in particular our most treasured areas such as National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.'

Fiona Howie concluded:

‘To make sure of this it is essential to consider the cumulative impacts of a number of schemes - proposals should not be looked at in isolation.

‘As part of this CPRE are calling for all electricity transmission lines through National Parks to be buried underground, and for no new pylons at all in our most important and beautiful landscapes.’ [3]

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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. Planning Policy Statements, and some older versions called Planning Policy Guidance, provide guidance on different aspects of land use planning in England. Existing documents, for example, provide guidance on the role of Green Belt and the presumption against inappropriate development within them (PPG2) and planning policies for rural areas and villages, how development should be sustainable and the highest level of protection should be given to designated areas (PPS7).

3. CPRE, in alliance with the Campaign for National Parks, Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales and the National Association for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are calling for the eventual removal of three of the largest and most unsightly lines of pylons in the country, stretching over 350 miles of countryside. For more information about this campaign please see http://www.cpre.org.uk/campaigns/natural-resources/electricity-transmission/electricity-transmission-campaign-update