Mark spoke on the new planning policy and HS2 at the Campaign to Protect Rural England event
Last Friday, Rugby MP Mark Pawsey addressed the Warwickshire branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England’s AGM. Mark was invited to attend not only because of his local ‘roots’, but also because he is a member of the Communities and Local Government Select Committee that has recently finished an inquiry into England’s new planning policy. The Select Committee played a key role in the formation of the policy, with 30 out of their 35 recommendations to Government being implemented in the new policy.
Mark said:
“It was a great pleasure to meet all those involved in Warwickshire’s Campaign to Protect Rural England. I was especially happy to have the opportunity to discuss the Government’s new planning policy framework and its proposals for a new High Speed Rail Line (HS2) with them”.
Mark continued:
“When the Government announced measures to change the planning system in England, many groups, including the CPRE, initially expressed their concerns over the Government’s proposals. However, the Government waited for the views of the select committee and has implemented 30 of the 35 amendments we proposed, including more explicit requirements to develop brownfield land first and greater protection for town centres. I am pleased that this means that the finished policy, published earlier this year, has been welcomed by CPRE”.
Mark concluded:
“It was also able to raise our joint concerns over the proposed HS2 project the Government is looking to introduce which would cut through rural Warwickshire. I reiterated to the CPRE the views I hold on this, and again pointed out that I believe that in addition to being detrimental to the countryside and a massive expense to the UK economy, it could have a negative effect on rail services to and from Rugby. I look forward to working with groups like the CPRE to continue to put the case against these plans”.