The new Growth and Infrastructure Bill will allow developers to bypass local authorities in some cases.
Bypassing local councils
Local authorities decide local planning decisions.
But in some “designated” local authorities the Secretary of State has suggested developers have the option to bypass them.
This will undermine local accountability and centralise these planning decisions.
Fast-tracking decisions
The Bill also creates an opportunity for developers to “fast-track” major projects instead of going to the local authority.
This could include developments for warehouses, leisure parks and large onshore gas extraction.
We have been asked to clarify where this is defined. It s not in the proposed Act itself but well hidden in a consultation document
The consultation document linked to below relates to Clause 23 of the Growth and Infrastructure Bill.
The consultation proposes to allow developers to request that planning proposals for onshore oil or gas projects over 500 tonnes per day for petroleum, or 500,000 cubic metres per day for gas, are referred to the Secretary of State under fast track planning procedures for ‘nationally significant infrastructure projects’ under the Planning Act 2008.
On Page 21 we see
Extractive industries (mining and quarrying) Including proposals for: Deep mined coal Onshore oil and gas extraction Other mining and quarrying proposals
You can ask your MP to raise an objection on your behalf in just a few seconds by visiting this web site
