Barker up the wong tree?

Countryside campaigners CPRE have urged the Government not to undermine the planning system’s critical role in protecting the countryside and the environment following publication of a radical, HM Treasury-commissioned review by economist Kate Barker today yesterday.

CPRE Chief Executive Shaun Spiers said: "We fear that some of her recommendations, if implemented, would speed up the rate at which new development sprawls over the countryside – to the detriment of us all.

"Green Belts have never been entirely sacrosanct, nor should they be – but they are one of England’s most effective, best known and most popular planning tools. Kate Barker has recommended widespread reviews of Green Belt boundaries, and has proposed that the countryside within them can be improved in return for allowing some development on them.

"We do need to improve the quality of some Green Belt land, but the primary role of the Green Belt is to prevent sprawl by keeping land open and undeveloped. We’ll be demanding that any changes to Green Belt boundaries and policy are strictly limited, fully justified and offer a very clear, overall environmental gain."

"CPRE also questions Kate Barker’s proposals that local households should be paid directly by developers to secure their backing for development schemes. ‘If this isn’t bribery, what is?" said Shaun Spiers.

"Overall, there is a worryingly strong emphasis in the review on enabling local councils and communities to reap more financial rewards from new development – in the belief that this will make them adopt more pro-growth and pro-development attitudes."

Shaun Spiers said: "If we go down this route, local councils and communities could end up finding they have sacrificed one of our greatest resources – beautiful, nearby countryside – for short term financial gain."

One of Kate Barker’s most far-reaching recommendations is for the creation of an independent expert Planning Commission to examine the social, economic and environmental case, across England, for major development schemes covering transport, energy, waste disposal and water.

Last week’s The Eddington Transport Study made a similar recommendation. CPRE believes this Commission could play an important advisory role – but it should not undermine the democratic basis of planning, or reduce the voice of local communities.

CPRE particularly welcomes Kate Barker’s call for there to be stronger incentives for recycling this ‘brownfield’ land back into use, and for disincentives on landowners for leaving it idle.

Shaun Spiers concluded: "Whatever the Treasury may think, the purpose of planning is not just to give business quick, favourable decisions. It’s purpose is to advance the public interest – not least the protection of our environment and quality of life.

"Given the Treasury’s steer to Kate Barker, her conclusions could have been much, much worse. All of Government, including the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, needs to take time to consider her report carefully.

"Unless this happens, our fear is that her review could end up shifting the balance of our planning system away from protecting the environment and countryside and towards catering for developers’ profits. Long term, we would all lose out."