Autumn Newsletter

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW TO RESPOND EFFECTIVELY TO LOCAL PLANNING

Why the planning system matters

 The Supporting Communities and Neighbourhoods in Planning Scheme training days are strongly recommended, says CPREssex Chairman Tom Holme, because they provide invaluable guidance about understanding the planning system during a period of flux and transition.  We live in one of the most prosperous parts of the UK. Economic growth places huge pressures on our county’s precious natural resources. We accept the need for change and development, but believe this must not be at the expense of environmental damage. The need for knowledge of our planning system has rarely been greater.  CPRE came into being in 1926, when housing development was practically uncontrolled. We were instrumental in the creation of the 1947 Town & Country Planning Act, which created a statutory objective for comprehensive development plans in place of free-for-all housing sprawl.  Last year’s Localism Act seeks to return power from central government to local councils and communities. In July of last year, the draft National Planning Policy Framework was published for consultation. The final version of this document will set the framework within which local development plans, or local plans as they are called in the NPPF, are devised, and decisions on the grant of planning permission are made. It will replace the current range of Policy Guidance Notes and Statements, and as such will have a major bearing on the future use of our county’s land.

CONSERVATION OF OLD BUILDINGS WAS AGM THEME

The John Owen Barn at Fordham near Colchester was the unique venue for this year’s Annual General Meeting of CPREssex.  Geoffrey Sinclair of the Woodland Trust took members on a walk around the nearby Community Wood, explaining how the generosity and vision of a local donor had led to the planning and planting of this extensive new woodland. 

Refreshments were served after the walk and members were able to appreciate how imaginative planning and design have created a building of real quality and adaptability.

Douglas Kent gave an illustrated lecture of the work carried out by the Society for the Preservation of Ancient Buildings (SPAB). He outlined the major principles of repair and conservation and included examples of the work he is undertaking on his own, recently acquired, Essex historic home.  

The formal business of the Branch AGM under the Chairmanship of Vice-President Robert Erith, rounded off the afternoon.

Next year's AGM will be Saturday 6 October 2012.  Make a date in your new diaries. 

A CALL TO ACTION BY THE ESSEX BRANCH OF CPRE, THE CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT RURAL ENGLAND

Our planning system has served us well for 64 years. It has for the most part protected our countryside from the worst excesses of urban sprawl and inappropriate development.  The Government plans to replace existing national planning policy with a new National Policy Planning Framework (NPPF), a draft of which was published for consultation in July. Unless this draft is substantially modified, it seems to invite inappropriate housing development on the green fields of Essex.

There are many major faults in the NPPF. Here are six.

1.  It is underpinned by a presumption in favour of “sustainable” development. We fear this amounts to a presumption in favour of any development.

2. By removing the presumption against inappropriate development, it weakens the protection of Green Belt, which accounts for about 40% of our Essex countryside.

3. It does not recognise the importance of, and offers no protection for, our cherished and valued “ordinary” Essex countryside, which accounts for most of the remaining 60%.

4. It views the planning system solely as a vehicle for enabling economic growth through development, without regard to the social and environmental consequences.

5. It removes the current policy of ensuring previously developed land is used to meet development needs before greenfield sites.

6. It requires local authorities to identify a five year supply of developable land for new housing with an additional allowance of 20%.This is a central government directive at odds with our understanding of localism.

A Practitioner Advisory Group of four people was responsible for an early draft of the NPPF. As one of the Group’s members was a director of a volume housebuilder, it is not surprising that it reads like a developers’ lobbying charter. Another member of the Group, the Acting Head of Sustainable Development of the RSPB, subsequently publicly disassociated himself from the final draft.

PLANNING CHANGES NEED SERIOUS RECONSIDERATION

The Government believes the new National Planning Policy Framework is necessary to revitalise a system that is blamed for the critical shortage of new homes across the country.  It’s a bold move but misguided and the CPRE is just one of several environmental organisations who are seriously concerned that it will encourage developers to push ahead with inappropriate housing schemes. 

How can we protect the countryside against a surge of building activity?   The spectre of urban sprawl once again becomes a real menace and although localism and planning reform are steps in the right direction, NPPF seems to be all about economic growth at the expense of environmental protection.

That’s why we are making such strong representations to the Coalition Government.  Shaun Spiers has been interviewed on several occasions to voice the anger of CPRE and try to persuade Ministers to rethink their plans. 

Shaun makes a strong point which goes to the very heart of the argument: “What the government is talking about is a presumption in favour of sustainable development but if you read the NPPF in its draft form what is clear is that it is a presumption in favour of development and at every point sustainability is undermined.”

CPREssex chairman Tom Holme has voiced his concerns (see  ACTION ESSEX, Autumn 2011 edition) and so have many other prominent supporters of CPRE around the country.   Government  appeared unmoved by this  hostile reaction and have fought back with some unhelpful comments but the pressure to influence attitudes and change some of the contentious issues in NPPF goes on.

If you want to learn more about the background to this argument  a link is available to an article written by Andy Boddington, Editor of the CPRE South eBulletin.

ANOTHER  FUND-RAISING  SUCCESS 

The fund-raising evening held recently at Ingatestone Hall and hosted by our president Lord Petre, raised about £3,000 including £500 from the raffle. 

Guests gathered in the Stone Hall to listen to the virtuoso performances of cellists Duo Cello before supper in the Summer Parlour. After supper, we returned to the Stone Hall to enjoy the electrifying jazz of the highly talented Claire Harper Quartet. First-class catering and service was provided by Sue Ereria (food) and Will Parker (drinks).  Many of the guests were highly complimentary about the evening – and quick to praise all those who helped to make it such a success.

“Thank you for  arranging such a pleasant and enjoyable evening at Ingatestone Hall - the varied programme of musical entertainment was much appreciated - not just by the audience, but I suspect by the performers themselves - the drummer certainly pulled out all the stops!  The buzz of happy and contented conversation said it all.  The choice of dishes on the menu was excellent and food looked so attractive too and the Brentwood bubbly is decidedly most palatable! “ 

FLY-TIPPERS ARE MESSING-UP THE COUNTRYSIDE!

Fly-tipping has always been a problem – now there is clear evidence it is steadily increasing and blighting the countryside.   A major effort to raise public awareness has been launched to try and make life difficult for those who are messing up the countryside.

It’s also expensive.  Farmers who find rubbish left on tracks, gateways and fields have to pay for the clear-up costs and that could run into hundreds of pounds. 

The waste can be almost anything – from black bags of household rubbish to old cars, vehicle parts, asbestos, white goods like fridges and washing machines and demolition material.

CPRE has joined forces with the National Farmer’s Union and the Country Land and Business Owners Association  to  identify the areas in Essex where this is happening.  Farmers and land-owners are being asked to report incidents so that a data-base of  ‘hot-spots’ can be compiled and action to taken to find out who is responsible.

By publicising the results and drawing attention to this damaging and dangerous issue we hope to make it difficult for the culprits to continue their illegal activities.   One of the worst areas for fly-tipping is the Epping Forest area but the main concern from the answers given in our questionnaire is that all parts of Essex are seeing an increase.

Do you have a problem with fly-tipping?  If so, please contact the CPREssex office and help us to try and reduce this growing menace.