Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution

Thank you inviting the Association of London Government for comment on your plans to undertake the second phase of study into environmental planning. 1 apologise for the delay in replying.

The ALG would like to point out that many of the issues raised by the Commission are very wide ranging Item (a) is virtually a review of the operation of the whole of the town planning system. The ALG would suggest a topic, which is more closely defined. The particular topic, which we would consider, needs investigating on the basis of consulting colleagues across London, is the co-ordination of the different environmental protection regimes which operate at present. This is largely represented by Item (f)in the Commission's list, but also incorporates some of the considerations in Item (h) chiefly the co-ordination of different geographical control areas.

There are 2 particular areas where this issue has a great deal of relevance in the day to day work of borough Councillors and officers. Firstly, there are a range of policies and narrative statement, which derive from the general concept of sustainability often at an international or European level which are well known to environmental groups and knowledgeable persons. They indicate a clear vision of the future, which implies a significant change in current trends. However, when these factors are quoted in order to influence day to day decisions on planning applications, then they have little or no effect on the Council's decision making processes, and even less on those of the ultimate arbiter in these matters, the planning inspectorate. This leads to disillusionment with is this process when the public see that broad policy directions which Councils and governments subscribe to are not reflected in day to day decisions.

The second important issue is the relationship of the functions of the Environment Agency to the statutory planning system. Again, apparently important issues promoted by the Agency are not influential in planning and indeed other Council functions. This can also cause confusion as well as raising expectations, which are not fulfilled.

If the ALG and the Commission were able to agree to this suggestion, we are sure that the Association of London Borough Planning Officers (ALBPO) would be able to disseminate queries and compile information, which would be helpful to the Commission. Should you wish to discuss this proposal further please would you contact the Steve Clark, Head of Planning and Public Protection, at London Borough of Merton, Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, Surrey, SM4 5DX. Telephone number 0181 545 4105.

I hope you find the ALG comments helpful.

Back to Index of comments on the scoping of the Environmental Planning Study