June 25 2008

A survey carried out on behalf of Friends of the Earth has concluded that more than nine out of ten people want to have a say over planning  decisions affecting their local area.

The survey found that 94 per cent of people believe climate change should be taken into account when considering the impact of big
projects. Freinds of the Earth say that this puts the public at odds with MPs who voted in early June to leave out any reference to climate change from the planning bill presently before the Westminster Parliament.

The opinion poll also shows that almost two thirds of the public want planning decisions on major projects such as roads, power
stations and airports to be taken by local councils rather than the Government. Under proposals set out in the Planning Bill these decisions would be taken by an unelected body called the Infrastructure Planning Committee.


"The environmental impact of major projects such as roads and airports must be taken into account to prevent us being locked
into irreversible climate change and help us to move towards a cleaner and greener economy," said Friends of the Earth's Planning Campaigner, Hugh Ellis

"It's clear that local people want to be involved in decisions that fundamentally affect their communities - Ministers must amend
the Planning Bill to make sure they have a right to be heard."

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