Anger over green belt proposals

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A report calling for more building on green belt land in England has been criticised by environmental groups.

Friends of the Earth said proposals in the Barker Review would have "a devastating impact on the environment and local democracy".

The study also calls for an independent planning body to judge on major proposals like airport extensions.

It says England's planning system must be made quicker and simpler and that the appeals process needs speeding up.

Table: Recent major transport project planning timings

Environmentalists fear the proposals would lead to more construction on green belt land and that projects like airport extensions, motorways and new power stations would be pushed through against local objections.

The report's key author, economist Kate Barker, points out that contrary to public perception just under 13.5% of England is actually developed, while the green belt surrounding cities covers almost 13% of the country.

"The land that can be developed with the least likely environmental or wider social impact is low-value agricultural land with little landscape quality and limited public access," says the report.

Green belt's there for a number of very good reasons Campaign to Protect Rural England Q&A: England's planning laws Householders await simplicity

"Regional and local planning bodies should review their green belt boundaries to ensure they remain relevant and appropriate."

But the Campaign to Protect Rural England said redrawing the green belt would be a foolish move.

"Green belt is there for a number of very good reasons," the campaign's Kevin Fitzgerald told BBC News.

"It is there to stop urban sprawl, to stop these sort of villages growing together in one big amorphous mass and it is also there particularly to encourage regeneration in towns."

Critics of the current planning system, especially companies, have long said the creation of a new national planning body is vital.

They argue that, at present, some local councillors are ducking difficult planning decisions in the face of political pressures, such as strong local opposition to a new housing scheme.

The government has committed to a new White Paper on planning in March that is expected to incorporate some of the Barker Review's recommendations.

Manufacturers' organisation EEF as well as the CBI have backed the report's recommendations.

Kate Barker is a member of the Bank of England's interest rate-setting Monetary Policy Committee. The report was commissioned by the Treasury.

MAJOR TRANSPORT DECISION TIMINGS
Project	Years taken	Length of pub. enquiry	Total time* [years]
M6 toll road	1992-97	16 months	7
Heathrow Terminal 5	1993-2001	46 months	7.1
London International Freight exchange	1999-2002	7 months	3.4
Upgrade of West Coast mainline	2000-2003	11 months	3
Camden Town tube rebuilding	2003-2005	5 months	2.25
* - Includes time taken for application, inquiry, delivery of report and decision. Source: DFT/PINS/Barker Report

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