UK Government Accused Of Violating 'Protective Planning' Laws

Environmentally-destructive development projects are being approved in England's scenic natural areas, and environmentalists are blaming the government for bending its own rules to allow the projects. Ranging from large road projects to quarrying to wind farms, these approved projects have generated a large movement of opposition amongst England's environmentalists. Government agencies are being investigated for violating their own "protective planning" laws that set aside sensitive lands and prohibit large-scale development.

"Serious damage is imminent to two national parks and seven officially designated areas of outstanding natural beauty (AONBs), says the Campaign to Protect Rural England, which has posted a list of 'nine jewels in the crown' under threat. 'This is not a matter of developers finding some clever loophole in the laws,' said Tom Oliver, the group's head of rural policy. 'It is the authorities themselves - central and local government - which are threatening most of the damage.' "

"The 'assault on the rules', as the CPRE terms the change of attitude, has also alarmed the government's cost watchdog, the National Audit Office, which monitors central government spending, and the Audit Commission, which does the same for local councils. Both are questioning the spiraling costs of road schemes, and the cost-benefit analyses used in preliminary planning discussions and public inquiries."