WEST MIDLANDS WILDLIFE TRUSTS’ PRESS STATEMENT ON THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSALS ON SUB-REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The Government's proposals for changes to the regional planning and strategy arrangements are potentially a massive threat to the environment.

It seems that Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) are to be given draconian powers and directed by the Government to override environmental concerns in a stampede for economic growth at any cost. The need to combat climate change, the quality of the environment and concern for wildlife, - all integral to the Regional Assembly's activities - are given short shrift in the Government's plans. 

We have major concerns about these proposals:

Planning powers are to be taken away from the Regional Assembly and given to the unelected quangos

The expanded RDAs will be judge and jury in relation to major developments such as motorway widening, airport expansion and building over wildlife areas

The enhanced RDAs objectives will be entirely economic but it will have strategic responsibility for the environment

There will be no core objective to address climate change issues or the quality of the environment 

Environmental groups who currently have important roles within the Regional Assembly structures will be out in the cold

Mike Kinghan, Regional Director for the West Midlands Wildlife Trusts commented,  "The draft West Midlands Economic Strategy is beginning to recognise for the first time the importance of non-economic factors such as quality natural environment for wellbeing and quality of life - and in attracting investment.  

These proposals from the Government represent a potential huge step backwards. Not only will the RDAs be given control of planning strategy for the region, but they will be judged solely on their economic performance - and they will directly accountable for this to the Department for Business and  Enterprise .  We are in no way opposed to economic development but, as the Stern report on the economics of climate change clearly showed, growth which damages the environment will seriously undermine the economy in the long-term. These proposals represent primitive economic thinking where nothing seems to matter except more and more short-term economic growth.

The Government needs a rapid rethink to ensure that environmental quality, wildlife, and climate change are at the heart of regional policy, not expelled to the outer reaches of the galaxy.

If the changes come about we will look to Advantage West Midlands to take a long-term view of economic sustainability and to fully engage with environmental organisations on how to. "

ENDS

  Last updated 28 October, 2008