Eastern Region Greens denounce Government double whammy on energy and planning

27 May 2007

Blair Government goes for more nuclear plants and a more centralised planning system

Greens in Eastern England have denounced the Blair Government's moves towards more nuclear power stations and a more centralised planning system. Greens believe that the recent announcements on plans for future energy provision and changes to the planning system continue Labour's long term moves to take decision making further away from communities and place more control in the hands of big business interests.

Cllr. Rupert Read, Norwich City Councillor and Lead Candidate for the 2009 Euro elections said:

"Nuclear power is dirty, unsafe, unpopular and expensive. By including a new generation of new nuclear power station in its plans, the Government is drawing investment away from the renewable energy sector making it less likely than ever that it will meet even the modest EU target of generating 20% of energy from renewable sources by 2020. That just wont happen if the industry is starved of investment. Sizewell C would be a terrible idea -- when what we really need in East Anglia is more off and on shore windfarms, more microgeneration, 'tidal stream' renewable power and energy conservation to reduce demand."

The Greens also condemned Labour Government plans for reforming the planning system aimed at "speeding up" the building of major infrastructure projects, such as road schemes, airports and power stations - which it is feared will make it even more difficult for local communities to have a real say in decision making.

The Government proposes to set up a new government appointed planning commission to make decisions on major infrastructure projects, raising concerns that it could be stuffed full of government "cronies".

The new proposals will affect major infrastructure projects such as new roads and airport expansion. The Gvernment has already approved over 200 road schemes totalling over £13 billion, and has plans for a massive expansion of airports. The planning proposals will make it easier for the Government to push through these schemes, which will lead to higher carbon emissions.

Cllr. Rupert Read said:

"The Government is bulldozing over local democracy with its Planning White Paper. The proposals will lead to more roads and airports when we should be doing all we can to tackle dangeorus climate change. The Government is not interested in local opinion or in stopping climate chaos. The Planning White Paper will only serve New Labour's friends in the roads lobby, and the dangerously-burgeoning aviation industry. It is hard enough for local communities to stand up against road schemes, without the Government making it even harder."

Cllr. James Abbott, Eastern Region Green Party Spokesperson on Energy added:

"We have already seen EDF saying it wants to build new nuclear stations - the same company that supplies electricity to millions of people in the UK. What interest would a company with control over both generation and supply have in energy conservation ? What chance would local communities have against such a powerful operator if the planning system is made even more centralised in favour of big business?

The Green Party's sustainable and alternative proposals to Labour's crackpot policies could not be more clear today. We support a more decentralised, locally based energy system based on encouraging and supporting local communities and regions to develop their own renewable energy systems and energy saving schemes. For instance, every new home or business premises could have renewable energy incorporated. Labour and their friends in big business dont like that as it threatens their control and profits - even though its the logical step towards helping to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Even if all the current nuclear stations are replaced it will only shave about 6% off UK CO2 emissions - by which time Labour supported airport and roads expansion will have more than cancelled out any such gain."

For more information on the Planning White Paper, see the Planning Disaster website at http://www.planningdisaster.co.uk. Planning Disaster is a coalition of groups including Transport 2000, CPRE, and Friends of the Earth.

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