Residents’ rights of challenge to be restricted by “developers’ charter”
The Government’s Planning White Paper, due to be published on Monday, could make it easier for BAA Ferrovial to build a third runway at Heathrow. The White Paper is expected to contain plans to change the public inquiry system in order to speed up the construction of major infrastructure projects such a new runways (1).
The White Paper will propose that the traditional Public Inquiry, where an Inspector hears all the evidence, will be replaced by an Independent Planning Commission (IPC) which will only look at the local impacts of a new development such as local air quality standards, noise concerns and traffic problems. The IPC would be required to start from the basis of ‘a presumption in favour’ of the development. It would not be able to consider the economic need for the new development nor the impact it could have on broader issues such as climate change (2).
The Government argues that the new Commission will be fairer because it will mean that independent commissioners, rather that government ministers, will take the final decisions about projects. But campaigners argue that the Government has rigged the rules in its favour by requiring the IPC to start from a position of ‘a presumption in favour’ of a new development.
John Stewart, who chairs HACAN, which represents residents under Heathrow’s flight paths, said, “This is a developers’ charter.” It means that airport owners, such as BAA Ferrovial, can get away with shoddy schemes knowing they won’t be challenged. We don’t accept the economic claims they make for a 3rd runway. But, under this new system, it would mean that there would nowhere we could challenge their figures. People face being thrown out of their homes to make way for a new runway on the basis of dodgy statistics. Welcome to Gordon Brown’s banana republic!”
It is expected that the White Paper will go out to public consultation.
ENDS
Notes for Editors
1. The Planning White Paper will take forward the recommendations in the reports of Sir Rod Eddington, former British Airways Chief Executive, and Kate Barker for speeding up the planning of major infrastructure projects notably for transport, energy, waste and water. Measures include
- Ministers to produce national policy statements which may be site specific
- a presumption in favour of any project in line with national policy
- a new decision-making body, an Independent Planning Commission (IPC)
- restrictions on scope of local public inquiries/individual participation rights
(2). Currently, applications for airport development are considered by local planning authorities under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Economic need is examined at a public inquiry but would be ruled out under the changes.
For further information:
John Stewart on 0207 737 6641 or 07957385650