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Press Release

Strong Planning Essential To Tackle Climate Change

15 November 2006

Countryside campaigners, CPRE [1] welcomed measures announced today (Wednesday) in the Queen’s Speech [2] to tackle climate change but warned that any further reforms to the planning system need to strengthen, and not undermine, its environmental role.

CPRE’s Policy Director, Neil Sinden, said:

‘Effective planning of land use and development should be central to tackling the growing challenge of climate change. This means planning to promote urban renewal and protect the countryside, and for new development to be designed and located in ways that reduce our energy needs.

‘What’s needed is further investment in, and political support for, the planning system – rather than changes which could reduce people’s say in planning decisions and undermine its ability to protect the environment.’

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: Sir Max Hastings. Patron: Her Majesty The Queen.

2. The Queen’s Speech announced that the Government is to publish a Bill on climate change ‘as part of its policy to protect the environment’ and also that it would publish ‘proposals to reform the planning system’. The recent Stern Review recognised that planning has an important role to play in moving towards a less energy-intensive society, yet a forthcoming review of the planning system by Kate Barker; a review of transport by Rod Eddington, both commissioned by the Treasury; and proposals to reform planning for major infrastructure projects flowing from the recent Energy Review, risk undermining the potential of planning to deliver environmental objectives.



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Campaign to Protect Rural England

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