The Environmental Services Association has criticised a statement published this week setting out how the government proposes to put a ‘presumption in favour of sustainable development at the heart of its planning policy.
The organisation which is the trade association for the waste management sector says that while the idea of supporting sustainable development is a good one, the draft document fails to clarify what sustainable development actually is.
This is a concern to the association, because it believes that waste facilities are an essential component of sustainable development and need to be supported, especially because it has historically been difficult to secure timely planning permission for them.
Matthew Farrow, ESAs director of policy, said: The idea of a presumption in favour of sustainable development is a good one which in theory could help some of this vital infrastructure through the planning system.
In practice though, the draft wording released by the Government is toothless, because it fails to even try to suggest what qualifies as sustainable development. Waste management infrastructure – in enabling the UK to meet its ambitious targets for recycling and renewable energy generation – is clearly an essential component of sustainable development. The Government still has time to get this right, and we will work with them to this end.
Unveiled by planning minister Greg Clark on Wednesday (June 15), the statement on the assumption in favour of sustainable development indicates the approach that government could take to introducing a presumption in favour of sustainable development in the forthcoming National Planning Policy Framework, which is due for public consultation in July this year.
The National Planning Policy Framework is being developed in the wake of a Treasury commitment announced in the Budget 2011 (see letsrecycle.com story).
According to the statement, local authorities should plan positively for new sustainable development and approve all individual proposals where possible.
It is intended to ensure that:
Communities and councils have a strong incentive to keep their plans up-to-date, and to plan positively for sustainable development. Without an up-to-date plan, decisions will be made according to national policy;
Sustainable development can get underway faster. Proposals will be approved without delay if they are in accordance with Local Plans;
Developers have more certainty about what will be allowed and where. This will encourage them to bring forward more proposals and reduce the number of planning appeals;
Development will not be allowed if it is clearly in conflict with the environmental and other safeguards in the National Planning Policy Framework.
Mr Clark said: “Britain urgently needs new homes, new green energy and transport links, and space for businesses to grow. By putting this presumption at the heart of our new framework we will give the planning system a wake up call so the right sort of development, that everyone agrees is needed, gets approval without delay.
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