Archived press release

Friends of the Earth welcomes new planning measures

13 December 2006

The new national Planning Policy Statement on climate change [1] announced by Ruth Kelly, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, today (13 December) was welcomed by Friends of the Earth as a huge step in the right direction. The environmental organisation said that the new voluntary Code for Sustainable Homes, also published today, should be mandatory.

Friends of the Earth's Planning Advisor Hugh Ellis said:

"Ruth Kelly's package of measures to tackle climate change through the planning system represents a huge step forward. It gives local authorities some important powers to cut carbon emissions - the onus is now on them to use them."

"The Code for Sustainable Homes contains lots of positive recommendations, but unless it is made mandatory it is unlikely to have a significant effect. We have limited time to make the cuts in carbon dioxide emissions which are needed. Carbon zero homes could be built now - so why wait ten years before insisting that builders construct them."

Notes

[1] Planning Policy Statements (PPS) set out the Government's national policies on different aspects of land use planning in England. Planning Policy Statements must be taken into account by regional planning bodies in the preparation of regional spatial strategies, by the Mayor of London in relation to the spatial development strategy in London and by local planning authorities in the preparation of local development documents. They may also be material to decisions on individual planning applications.

For further information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

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Archived press release

Friends of the Earth welcomes new planning measures

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