Latest News - December 2011
Jump to: MPs want NPPF... , Simon's Christmas... , New off-roading...
Dec 20th 2011 MPs want NPPF changed too
We're welcoming today's call by a cross-party committee of MPs for ‘significant changes’ to improve the draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). These suggested changes reflect many of our aspirations for the final policy.
The report shows a strong cross-party consensus that the role of planning is to treat economic, environmental and social needs equally, not to favour short term economic growth at any cost. The Government must now make substantial changes to its proposed planning policies if we are to get the efficient, locally oriented and environmentally sensitive system we believe Ministers want.
In the report the MPs
- call the document ‘unbalanced’ in favour of economic growth alone and call for the removal of a proposed default ‘yes’ to all new development
- state that the Government’s proposed ‘presumption in favour of sustainable development’ could undermine local plans
- call for a stronger definition of sustainable development, based on the UK’s Sustainable Development Strategy
- highlight the ‘inevitable risk’ of more countryside being lost in the absence of a clear policy of developing brownfield (previously developed) sites before greenfield.
The draft NPPF, consulted on during the summer, sparked major interest and controversy, with over 14,000 public responses. Despite this, Ministers have said they do not propose to hold a second consultation in 2012. The MPs see a strong case, however, for a further short consultation with planning practitioners.
The MPs also criticise the ‘unhelpfully vague’ wording of the draft document. The Government claimed that condensing over 1,000 pages of current policy to just 52 would provide simplicity and clarity. The MPs instead conclude that the draft NPPF ‘does not achieve clarity by its brevity.’
We all want to see a return to a healthy economy. The Government will not achieve this by putting the countryside at risk of poor quality development and undermining cities by allowing greenfields to be built on before brownfield land. We think the Committee's conclusions are considered and well-informed and we urge the Government to respond positively. Otherwise we risk returning to the unsustainable development of a generation ago, when an area of countryside three times the size of Stevenage was built on each year.
Dec 6th 2011 Simon's Christmas gift idea
Simon Groom, remembered by millions as the wry Blue Peter presenter of 30 years ago, is recommending a countryside Christmas present for people who love the Peak District. These days Simon Groom juggles his life as a Derbyshire hill farmer with his work as a documentary film maker. We're also delighted that he's our Vice President.
When he presented Blue Peter along with the likes of John Noakes and Peter Duncan in the seventies and eighties, the children’s programme was famous for its “makes.”
“Back in the day, we used to make all sorts of presents out of sticky backed plastic and chocolate bean tubes!” he recalls. “The advent candle was an annual favourite, and of course, Tracy Island went on to be a huge hit. But if you’re out of sticky backed plastic then I can’t think of a better Christmas present than a Friends of the Peak District gift membership for someone you know who loves these beautiful landscapes! They’ll get something that lasts a whole year, and you’ll know that you’ve spent your money on something very worthwhile.”
“On a daily basis, working as a broadcaster and sheep farmer I take inspiration from the Peak District, and being at one with nature really helps me with my life and work. Gift membership is simple to buy from Friends of the Peak District, and a great way to say Happy Christmas!” he adds.
A gift membership for an individual costs £27 per year; with joint membership at £42. Gift membership includes stunning landscape gift cards, a badge, goody bag, twice yearly magazine and discounts for a range of walks, events and attractions in the Peak District.
The last date for ordering a gift membership in time for Christmas is 16 December.
Dec 2nd 2011 New off-roading strategy welcomed
We're welcoming the Peak District National Park Authority’s new plans for dealing with off-roading damage in the National Park.
Some of the most sensitive routes in the Peak District are being ruined by 4x4s and trail bikes, so it was obvious that more needed to be done. Our Take Back the Tracks campaign has been calling for action so we’re really pleased to see that the Park Authority has taken notice and is doing something.
The Park Authority has allocated an extra £100,000 to manage unsurfaced routes over the next two years. Its new strategy and action plan includes: potentially closing five green lanes to vehicles; committing to repairing four specific routes; and monitoring illegal use on 100 other sites.
We do still have concerns about the future funding for maintaining our key green lanes and want to see this secured for the future. Funds are the responsibility of the highways agency, Derbyshire County Council. We hope that the Park Authority will be building a strong relationship with Derbyshire County Council to ensure our beautiful and sensitive landscapes are sustained for the future.
But overall, this is very encouraging. Now we’re keen for the Park Authority and Derbyshire County Council to get on with it!
