Apathy over planning law changes could put countryside in danger

Fresh fears over threat of urban sprawl as National Trust survey finds majority of people are unlikely to get involved Fears that the coalition’s relaxation of the planning system will result in urban sprawl have been reignited after it emerged that the vast majority of people are unlikely to participate in the government’s newly created local forums that allow communities to block housing developments. A YouGov poll, commissioned by the National Trust, found that few people were aware of the government’s proposals to alter the planning laws dramatically, and even fewer had the inclination to address planning issues in their local area. The findings, based on interviews with 2,319 adults living in England, are a blow to the government which has struggled to defend its controversial draft national planning policy framework in recent weeks. The framework is seeking to slash what most agree are unwieldy planning laws. But ministers insist this will not result in a carte blanche for developers. Instead, they say communities will have the final decision under the government’s new neighbourhood plans, which allow local people to voice their opposition to new developments. Planning minister Greg Clark pledged that the plans “will be a huge opportunity for communities to exercise genuine influence over what their home town should look like in the future”. But the poll found that 70% of people said they were “not very likely” or “not at all likely” to get involved in their neighbourhood plan. Only 4% said they were “very likely” to get involved. The apathy appears subject to political variation. Lib Dem and Tory voters are slightly more likely to get involved (28% and 26%, respectively) than Labour voters (21%). The National Trust, which is strongly opposed to the plans, suggested the findings reinforced fears that the new laws would play into the hands of developers, who have the time and resources to participate in planning applications and want to develop on greenfield rather than more expensive brownfield sites. “The government needs to do more to understand how to engage people in planning,” said Dame Fiona Reynolds, the director general of the National Trust. “Our fear is that if people don’t participate in the new system, then neighbourhood plans may simply become a charter for those best equipped or with vested interests to get the most, say, with local communities only getting involved once decisions have been made.” Communities secretary Eric Pickles and the chancellor, George Osborne, have defended the proposals, saying they are good for the UK economy. “No one should underestimate our determination to win this battle,” they wrote in an article in the Financial Times last week. “We will fight for jobs, prosperity and the right protection for our countryside.” But there has been criticism that the legislation is being rushed through with little consultation. Labour MPs have urged the government to extend the consultation period on the draft framework and hold a Commons debate and vote. The National Trust poll suggests that concerns over the speed with which the government is moving on the issue may be justified. The survey revealed that 73% of the population say they have heard “not very much” or “nothing at all” about the proposals. Geographically, awareness is highest in the south east, outside London, with 25% saying they have heard a “fair amount” or a “great deal”, compared with 17% in the north. “This low level of awareness is very concerning, especially given the government’s timetable for consultation on the proposed changes to the planning system,” Reynolds said. “We think the government should make sure people across the length and breadth of England have heard more about the proposals before a major decision like this, which will affect our landscape for ever, is made.” The survey also found that there appeared to be wariness of “big business” when it came to planning. Only 5% of those questioned said commercial property developers should have a significant say in planning decisions. And seven in 10 people said they believed that all new housing developments should be required to include space for people to grow food, such as allotments. “People are clearly wary about big business having too big a role in planning in their local community,” Reynolds said. “Commercial developers and large businesses appear to be the stakeholders that the public feel should have the least say in deciding what gets built.” Clark has insisted that the government has put in place “extensive consultation arrangements” and promised a parliamentary debate on the proposals. He told the Observer last month that building more housing was vital if younger generations were to gain a foothold on the property ladder. There is speculation, however, that a group of backbench Tories, led by Chris Heaton-Harris, MP for Daventry, may press the government to make changes. Planning policy Housing The National Trust Communities Jamie Doward guardian.co.uk

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