PLANNING BILL AND NATIONAL POLICY STATEMENTS

Early day motion 603, tabled 17 December 2007 by Paul Truswell (Labour). Signed by 108 members.

That this House welcomes the proposals for National Policy Statements (NPSs) contained in the Planning Bill; expresses concern however that existing policy documents such as the Air Transport White Paper may be designated as NPSs; considers that such documents were produced for a different purpose and before requirements under the strategic environmental assessment directive or the habitats directive; believes that this process would also afford those policy documents far greater status in the planning system than the public could reasonably have assumed at the time of the original consultation; and calls on the Government to ensure all NPSs are subjected to a full process of parliamentary and public consultation and scrutiny.

Signatures by party: Labour 59, Liberal Democrat 43, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Conservative 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Respect 1, UUP 1.