Press Notice from the Royal Town Planning Institute

Wednesday 22nd February 2010 PR09

NATIONAL POLICY STATEMENT ON ENERGY A FAILURE SAY PLANNERS

The RTPI, the professional body that represents 22,000 planners has submitted a robust response to the Government’s consultation on a National Policy Statement for Energy, which will determine how proposals to build new energy facilities are decided upon by the new Infrastructure Planning Commission.

Matt Thomson, Acting Director Policy & Partnerships at the RTPI said:

“The draft national policy statement on energy is not fit for purpose. It makes no attempt to translate the national need for energy infrastructure into guidance on where such development should be located and so provides no reassurance for either potential investors, or indeed local communities.

We face a critical situation in providing the right framework to encourage investment into much needed new energy facilities, particularly as the Government has made strong commitments on reducing carbon emissions from energy.

The current energy policy statement markedly fails in this respect, disappointingly repeating and reinterpreting established Government policy but saying nothing new about where we as a nation should be going in terms of the location or timing of new energy infrastructure development. We have called for a National Planning Framework which would pull together the myriad of policies and guidance.”

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Jamie Hodge, RTPI Communications and Public Affairs Officer

T: 020 7929 8182
M 07826 849 165
E jamie.hodge@rtpi.org.uk

Notes to Editors:

1. RTPI's submission on the draft Energy NPSs
This can be found at http://www.rtpi.org.uk/download/8477/RTPI-Response-to-draft-Enery-NPSs.pdf

2. RTPI: The Royal Town Planning Institute
The RTPI is the largest professional institute for planners in Europe, with over 22,000 members who serve in government, local government and as advisors in the private sector.. It is a charity with the purpose to develop the art and science of town planning for the benefit of the public as a whole.

As well as promoting spatial planning, RTPI develops and shapes policy affecting the built environment, works to raise professional standards and supports members through continuous education, training and development.

For further general information, visit the RTPI website at: www.rtpi.org.uk

41 Botolph Lane, London, EC3R 8DL
RTPI, a charity registered in England 262865 and Scotland SC 037841

Author:

Jamie Hodge

Publisher:

The Royal Town Planning Institute

Date:

24-Feb-10

Categories:

 

Sections:

News & Media , The RTPI

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