Environmental Protection UK (EPUK) is questioning whether the Government is committed to a planning system that is in the public interest, including being socially and environmentally sustainable, saying that: ‘Far from being costly ‘red tape’, good planning implemented at a local level is all about local communities participating in local decision making’.
The charity EPUK represents over 1,800 policy makers and environmental professionals working in local authorities and businesses. It has raised concerns following indications that removal of the planning requirement for change of use of buildings from commercial use to homes, will be announced in Wednesday’s budget.
It believes that while there is an undoubted housing need, ill considered conversions of commercial property to flats and houses is unlikely to meet the longer term societal need for healthy, sustainable, low carbon homes. It also believes that such a policy would risk placing a massive burden on the local authority services that manage environmental health problems, including noise related issues, for example.
The planning system currently takes into account local environmental impacts like noise and air pollution which are crucial to our quality of life and health. It also takes into account access to local resources such as schools, jobs and transport.
Mary Stevens, Head of Policy at EPUK said: “While the pressing need for new homes is unquestionable, so is the need for healthy and sustainable homes, in appropriate locations that meet requirements for access to services, jobs and energy efficiency. Housing should also be located in areas where air quality is good, noise levels acceptable and it should be built or located on sites free from risk of industrial contamination.
Far from being costly ‘red tape’, good planning implemented at a local level is all about local communities participating in local decision making. Critically good planning policy and practice also protects local communities from the impacts on residents and neighbours of poor environmental health and reduces the burdens of local enforcement and significant costs to our national health service.”
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