Parties start race to win over voters

by Susanna Gillman, Planning 15-Apr-05, 14:53

Key policies on planning, transport and the environment were set out by each of the main political parties this week in advance of the general election.

The Conservatives aim to give communities a greater say in planning decisions by scrapping regional assemblies and returning power to councils. The Tories would ditch the sustainable communities plan, which they claim is concreting over the countryside. The party intends to tighten green belt rules, promote brownfield development and extend people's right to buy homes.

It vows to "end Labour's war on the motorist" by modernising the road network and removing speed cameras. But the Tories were slammed for a lack of commitment to the environment. Friends of the Earth director Tony Juniper said: "The manifesto fails to say how a Tory government would tackle climate change and suggests that environmental protection would be towards the bottom of its priorities."

The Liberal Democrats argue that the Conservatives lack credible environmental policies. They pledge to build more affordable and energy efficient homes and to give communities a voice in planning. The party would cut tax on less polluting vehicles and encourage road charging. It also wants to set up a government department covering environment, transport and energy.

Labour promises to continue investing in housing in the growth areas and to provide more affordable homes and further opportunities for homeownership.

It would continue some road building but also plans to introduce car-sharing and road pricing to tackle congestion and promote renewable energy.

The Green Party aims to use planning to promote within-reach local services and to prioritise buses, pedestrians and cyclists. An RTPI spokesman said: "With the exception of the Greens, there is still a failure to connect planning, transport and the environment and to provide a joined-up approach to infrastructure."

Town and Country Planning Association policy officer Robert Shaw said that abolishing the communities plan would not help to tackle the housing crisis. "We need a balanced portfolio where decisions are made on what is most sustainable," he insisted.