7th December 2005

Greens condemn both the new planning guidelines and the Government Code for Sustainable Building, both published this week by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minster.

Philip Booth, a Gloucestershire Green party spokesperson said: "The first document dismantles the planning system and will lead to a massive increase in house-building in areas which are already suffering the effects of over-development (i). While the second requiring new environmental standards in house building is far too weak - and it is voluntary which means it will be largely ignored by most private builders (ii). Even a senior advisor to the government has resigned in despair at these plans (iii)."

Philip Booth said: "This is disastrous for Gloucestershire and indeed the whole country. There is no provision of housing for those in greatest need and the plans will leads to hugely unsustainable and undemocratic developments. The houses we build now need to be around in 20 years when oil and gas will be running out and the effects of climate change are predicted to be very severe. New housing development can be carbon zero and could, with the right technology, even result in a net surplus of electricity - plus this would be great news for developing Green businesses here in Gloucestershire."

Philip Booth said: "Why on earth can't the government understand that we must act NOW? Tackling the energy efficiency of new and existing housing is critical to hitting CO2 reduction targets."

Notes:

(i) Social housing, including support for the homeless, must be a key Government priority but PPS 3 will not provide this. Planning Policy Statement 3 contains plans for housing based on the Barker report's recommendations ie  housing will be provided on the basis of price not social need. Areas of high demand will grow in line with market forces with no regard for the social or environmental consequences. It is crazy to be pulling down thousands of houses in the north of England while pressures intensify in many areas in the South. We need a much more balanced approach to development. The new proposals will also dismantle the planning system, leaving no way of making sure housing is built in the most appropriate place and to the highest environmental standards.

(ii) The new Government Code for Sustainable Building is meant to drive up standards of energy and water efficiency in new homes. But being voluntary it will have little or no effect on private builders. This means a huge increase in the demand for water and huge increases in climate change emissions.

(iii) See: http://politics.guardian.co.uk/homeaffairs/comment/0,,1660323,00.html