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Map warns of 'planning disasters' Map warns of 'planning disasters'
(40 minutes later)
A map showing where 100 developments could be built if a proposed shake-up of planning laws goes ahead has been published on the internet. A map of where 100 major developments could be built if a proposed shake-up of planning laws goes ahead has been published on the internet.
Produced by campaign group Planning Disaster, it details proposed nuclear reactors and airport expansions. Campaign group Planning Disaster's map shows where proposed nuclear reactors and airport expansions could be placed.
The government has proposed a shake-up of planning laws to speed up decisions on permission for major projects. Ministers want to speed up planning decisions for such big projects, but Planning Disaster says people would lose their right to oppose the schemes.
But Planning Disaster says the plans mean people would lose their democratic right to oppose schemes in their area. The government says the map is based on "misinformation and untruths".
Under the proposals, ministers would set out the UK's key future infrastructure needs in national planning statements. New planning 'framework'
Under the new planning proposals, ministers would set out the UK's key future infrastructure needs in national planning statements.
'PLANNED' DEVELOPMENTS Super-incinerators in Cheshire and PeterboroughNuclear reactors at in Suffolk, Cumbria and HartlepoolAirport expansions at Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Heathrow and StanstedRoad bridge across the River MerseyM6 widening between Staffordshire and CheshireA major reservoir in Oxfordshire Planning Disaster
These would provide the "framework" for a new "independent" commission to take planning decisions on large projects.These would provide the "framework" for a new "independent" commission to take planning decisions on large projects.
'PLANNED' DEVELOPMENTS Super-incinerators in Cheshire and PeterboroughNuclear reactors at in Suffolk, Cumbria and HartlepoolAirport expansions at Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Heathrowand StanstedRoad bridge across the River MerseyM6 widening between Staffordshire and CheshireA major reservoir in Oxfordshire class="" href="http://www.planningdisaster.co.uk/">Planning Disaster Planning Disaster, a coalition of leading environmental groups including Friends of the Earth, the National Trust and the RSPB, says the move would take major decisions away from elected politicians.
Planning Disaster is a coalition of Britain's leading environmental groups including Friends of the Earth, the National Trust and the RSPB. Instead, they would be put into the hands of an "unelected, unaccountable new body", it says.
It says the move would take major decisions away from elected politicians and into the hands of an "unelected, unaccountable new body".
Planning Disaster coalition coordinator Owen Espley said: "We developed the planning disaster map so that people can see how changes to the planning system could affect their area.Planning Disaster coalition coordinator Owen Espley said: "We developed the planning disaster map so that people can see how changes to the planning system could affect their area.
"The map shows many major new developments which could be forced through by government - with local people effectively prevented from having a say.""The map shows many major new developments which could be forced through by government - with local people effectively prevented from having a say."
Public involvement
But a spokeswoman for the Department for Communities and Local Government, which is responsible for planning regulations, described the map as "irresponsible scaremongering" based on "misinformation and untruths".
"It is ridiculous to suggest new schemes wouldn't be subject to scrutiny, when our reforms are about bringing in more effective tests for every new project," she said.
"The new system will create a simpler, more accessible process, where local people have a stronger voice in decision-making."
It would include measures to ensure public involvement as well as creating a new duty on developers to consult communities, she said.
There would also be a more effective public inquiry stage and free access to advice from planning experts for local residents, she added.