30th October 2006

A Government consultation aimed at dismantling the planning inquiry system and destroying local democratic accountability ends today. Stroud District Green party have submitted a report condemning the move and questioning the whole consultation process.

Martin Whiteside Parliamentary spokesperson for Stroud District Green Party said: "The conclusion by the Government that 'nuclear is needed' has not been arrived at properly - regardless of whether or not you support the idea of nuclear power, it is surely right that potential developments should at least be debated in public. We welcome that Stroud District Council has taken on board the Green party view that this consultation needs a response and that they have also now written to express concerns about these changes."

Martin Whiteside said: "New nuclear reactors are planned at sites of old reactors like Oldbury and less likely Berkeley. The nuclear industry, as a prerequisite to investment, have demanded that the planning process is speeded up - basically to stifle debate and avoid proper scrutiny. Our Government wants to ensure that all major decisions are made in advance by removing from public inquiries any significant issues other than the consideration of local environmental impacts. This attempt to curtail the role of the Public Inquiry is misguided, potentially unlawful and corrosive of democratic values and the tradition of local participation in planning matters."