The Government's controversial proposals for reform of the planning system via the National Planning Policy Framework (1) are a threat to the countryside and should be dropped, the MP for Brighton Pavilion said today.

The Green party's Caroline Lucas, who will respond to the Government consultation before the 17^th October deadline to oppose the plans - said:

"The new planning proposals offered up in the draft National Planning Policy Framework expose this Government's shocking bias towards big business - and its determination tear up protection laws for our precious countryside.

"Ministers are intent on scrapping the policy of building on Brownfield sites before Greenfield sites and the duty to ensure that new developments minimise road traffic.

"The Greens recognise the urgent need to build more homes in order to address the housing crisis in this country, but the main obstacle isn't the planning system, it's the lack of money - thanks in no small part to the Government's decision to cut the affordable housing budget by 60%."

She concluded: "This new planning policy is likely to prove about as popular as the Government's ill-conceived plans to sell off the forests - and we need Cameron do a similar U-turn as fast as possible.

ENDS

Notes to editors

1) http://www.communities.gov.uk/planningandbuilding/planningsystem/planningpolicy/planningpolicyframework/

The draft National Planning Policy Framework has attracted widespread criticism from environmental campaigners and conservation groups such as the National Trust and CPRE. The Daily Telegraph's 'Hands Off Our Land' campaign, calling for a rethink of the Coalition's plans, can be found here.