(NPPF) national planning policy threatens the green belt, warn environmentalists. Photography: Richard SakerLondon green belt could be sacrificed to urban expansion of Los Angeles-style of low economic growth gave radical planning system reforms announced by the Government this week, the National Trust has warned.
3.6 Million member organization expressed its "serious concern" Tuesday by the Government's proposals to cut 1,000 pages of policy planning to only 52 pages in a move that has won the backing of timbre of developers.
Opponents argue that the new draft policy effectively eliminates the national goal of recycling brownfield land and allows local communities to support the building in the green belt. It is set to be the biggest change in the planning system in more than 60 years and guidance notes decreases detailed planning and circulars. Instead, the Government insists that there should be a presumption for "sustainable development" to House a growing population.
(NPPF) national planning policy framework seeks to accelerate and simplify the often complex laws at the same time as encouraging economic growth. In a foreword to the new policy, Greg Clark, the Minister of decentralization, said: "we must accommodate new forms that will earn our living in a competitive world..." "Sustainable development must go forward, without delay".
Fiona Reynolds, director general of the National Trust, warned that the policy could lead to growth that is excessive in the field on a scale not seen since the 1930s.
"The Government's proposals allow financial considerations dominate and this is huge risk in our field, the historic environment and precious local places that people value", said.
"This sounds finally death sentence the principle established in the 1940s used the planning system to protect what is most special landscape."
The new policy was developed with the help of a "consultative group of professionals", whose members include a conservative Councillor, director of the firm of Taylor Wimpey housing construction, a consultant for planning representing major developers at Government level and a staff member of the Royal Society for the protection of birds.
"Through the replacement of more than a thousand pages of national policy with around 50, written clearly and simply are enabling individuals and communities in the planning," said Clark.
But the changes to planning are likely to produce a popular reaction, according to environmentalists. The National Trust is asking its members to sign a petition urging the Ministers to reconsider.
Shaun Spiers, Executive Director of the campaign to protect rural England, said the Government have declared "open season" field not designated as green belt or an area of natural beauty.
"The new framework will make the field and much less safe from harmful and unnecessary development local character," he said. "If it is not changed, there will be battles against the development throughout the country that will make the public revolt against the sale of forests as a tea party."
The campaign for better transport and friends of the Earth have also attacked the plans.
The activists said that if the proposals were not amended could be counterproductive in the Government in the same way that plans to sell the forest estate in England, this year has resulted in an embarrassing turn of 180 degrees.
Ominous for the Government, many of the same groups opposed to the sale of the forest are at the forefront of criticism of the project NPPF, published Monday by the Department for communities and local governments. Most of the groups object has strong representation in constituencies held Tory.
Britain's largest property companies welcomed the proposals, saying it would help boost economic growth and create jobs.
"It is refreshing to have a concise national planning framework which supports and promotes the growth and at the same time protect our heritage," said Francis Salway, Executive Director of land securities.
"Focus on economic growth is very welcome, recognizing also the important role which the planning has to protect the environment," said Chris Grigg, Executive Director of British land. "We welcome the presumption for sustainable development".
Professor Kent Daniels tapped the power of web 2.0 tools as he planned, monitored and documented a recent class field trip. He used Google maps to plot out the voyage, including descriptions of the meaning of each location marker. The class has a wiki that includes the travel itinerary, planning documents and a link to your blog documented experiences of the student.