Call to maintain public involvement in planning process
MPs have been urged to ensure parliament protects the rights of individuals and communities as a key element of the planning regime.
The call has come from the Friends of the Earth in a report which has highlights the role of communities in influencing planning decisions – for the benefit of both developers and local people.
The report, entitled: 'Listen up! Community involvement in the planning system', contains a series of case studies about planning battles involving unsympathetic housing schemes, a landfill project, proposals for a container port, a major new residential complex, town centre regeneration and the plans for a new Tesco store at Saffron Walden.
Friends of the Earth planning adviser Hugh Ellis said: "These seven case studies demonstrate that community groups are not always 'NIMBY' protestors, negatively opposed to any kind of development.
"Instead they illustrate the powerful, and positive, contribution that early community participation can bring to the decision making process."
He added: "In many cases, this had led to better outcomes for all of those involved – including the developers".
Roger Milne
6 July 2006
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