Planning bill delayed

Friday, 6 June 2008 12:00 AM

The government has been forced to delay the House of Commons debate on the new planning bill as discontent among MPs grows.

The bill - which was due to be held on Monday - has now been pushed back by at least a week.

Key to the ire of rebel MPs is a provision in the bill which will see the final decision on major infrastructure projects taken from their hands.

Under the terms of the draft proposals am Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) will be established - a move opposed by both the Liberal Democrat and Conservative parties.

However, the government argues the plans will improve efficiency in the system, allowing for speedy decisions on major projects such as airports and roads.

Commenting on the decision to delay the bill, deputy lead of the Labour party Harriet Harman, said: "I think it is only right that if honourable members raise questions about a bit of government legislation the appropriate thing to do is to reflect on what changes might need to be made.

"I can tell the House that it will probably come back to the House the week after next, probably Monday June 23rd."

Industry stakeholders are now speculating the decision may delay the introduction of the IPC.

"We are pleased the government appears to have realised the creation of a new, unaccountable quango to take major planning decisions is a matter of huge public interest and concern," said Paul Miner, senior planning campaigner for the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England.

"As currently conceived, this proposed new quango is likely to make the planning system less trusted without being more efficient.

"We hope the government will use the additional time to come up with an alternative that allows all the relevant environmental and social implications of major infrastructure development to be considered in a better and fairer way."

Friends of the Earth (FoE) are also concerned over the possible environmental impact of the proposals.

"The Planning Bill is an environmental disaster," said Hugh Ellis, planning campaigner for FoE.

"The government wants to fast-track major developments - such as airports, roads and power stations - through the planning system without considering their impact on climate change and with little regard for local opinion.

"Ministers must listen to the mounting concern, and put people and the planet at the heart of our planning system."

Chris O'Toole

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