Conservationists claim several developments that are central to the Government’s growth agenda do not take into consideration new laws designed to improve England’s protected national park and landscapes.
It comes after the Communities Secretary, Angela Rayner, was forced to back down in the face of a legal threat over the expansion of a car park within the Dedham Vale National Landscape.
Labour has set itself on a collision course with environmentalists as it seeks to remove barriers to development to meet its housebuilding and growth targets.
This includes laws designed to protect national parks and landscapes, which were introduced by the Tory Government in 2023, and state that all public bodies must ‘conserve and enhance’ these areas in the decisions they make.
Rayner accepted there had been an “error in law” when the Planning Inspectorate, under the previous Government, approved the development in May last year.
This includes the Lower Thames Crossing, a proposed new road to connect Kent and Essex via a tunnel through the Thames and ease M25 gridlock, which the CNP says poses a threat to the Kent Downs National Landscape.
National Highways has promised to build “the UK’s greenest ever road”, but environmental groups have raised concerns over the destruction of ancient woodlands and habitats for wildlife.
A spokesperson for National Highways said its plans “were subject to robust examination by independent planning experts” and “include six times more green space than road, one million extra trees, two new public parks and a community woodland”.
The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, confirmed the Government’s backing for both of these projects last month during a speech that put airports and roads at the centre of her plan for growing the economy.
“Your Labour forebears recognised the importance of protecting England’s most iconic landscapes for working people – and from inappropriate development – even in economically challenging times,” the letter, seen by The i Paper, said.
Developments in National Parks and Landscapes facing legal threat
The following are among the developments that could be challenged under laws to protect National Parks:
Gatwick Expansion, South Downs Lower Thames Crossing, Kent Downs Housing Development in Turnden, High Weald National Landscape Telephone mast at Barbon Fell, Yorkshire Dales National Park Galloper Offshore Wind Farm expansion, Suffolk and Essex Coastal Heaths National LandscapeIn Kent, the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has applied to the High Court to challenge ministers’ decision to approve a 165-strong housing development within the High Weald National Landscape.
While the CNP said they recognise the Chancellor needs to boost growth, they said this should not happen at the expense of protected landscapes and must comply with environmental laws.
Opponents currently have three opportunities to file a judicial review against a major development project: writing to the High Court, an oral hearing and finally a hearing with the Court of Appeal.
Campaigners acknowledge this will make opposing new developments like the Lower Thames Crossing more challenging, but not impossible.
“The ability of groups like ours to take judicial review is essential to safeguarding this country’s most cherished natural assets. Rather than attempting to cutback on these legal safeguards, the Government should focus their efforts on complying with the law, which would remove the need for judicial review in the first place.”
“We will seek views on policy for managing development in protected landscapes, as part of planned consultation on national planning policies this spring.”
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( New tunnel to ease M25 gridlock faces legal threats that could delay project again )
Also on site :