Press Release

Green hopes theatened by growth plans

27 August, 2008

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) hopes to be able to welcome much of the new development plan for the North West, to be published in early September.

The Plan will set out where and how much new development there should be for housing, transport, energy, waste, retail and jobs. But CPRE is worried that late changes to the plan imposed by Whitehall against the wishes of people in the region and the advice of experts may derail its good intentions.

CPRE’s Regional Policy Officer, Andy Yuille commented: ‘It’s great that Government and the regional agencies have listened and agreed to the need for strong policies on tranquillity and landscape. This is what people value about our fantastic countryside. But if central Government takes the cap off the number of houses to be built in the next 20 years, it’s hard to see how councils will be able to stick to environmental targets.

‘The Government have also signalled their intention to impose entirely new growth plans on the M6 corridor. These weren’t examined or tested at any point in the long consultation process.’

Andy Yuille continued: ‘Everyone in the region – charities, businesses, councils and members of the public – put a lot of time into discussing and agreeing the main thrust of the plan. The Government’s intervention threatens to muddy the waters and increase uncertainty for planners and developers. This could jeopardise the regeneration of Manchester and Liverpool, and damage the character of historic cities like Chester and Lancaster. So much for devolved decision-making!’