Andrew Bennett

Protests by "eco-warriors" could return if the government goes ahead with proposals to deny local people the right to object to plans for major projects such as new airports, MPs have warned.

The Commons transport, local government and the regions committee has slammed proposals to change the planning laws, saying that ministers have exaggerated the problems with the current system.

Committee chairman Andrew Bennett warned of the consequences if ministers sought to over-ride local people.

"We did see once or twice during the 1990s direct action by various people. I suppose the one who got his name in the headlines mostfrequently was Swampy and I think that is a possibility," he said.

"If you try and go ahead with major schemes without the proper public discussion then you may get one or two people taking direct action. It is very important that local people feel they have had a chance to put their objections to a local scheme.''

The committee dismissed moves to reduce the public's role in the planning process.

The MPs also rejected the case for the creation of business planning zones which would be excluded from many of the current rules.

Bennett slammed the government's planning blueprint as "based on anecdote and prejudice".

He also warned that using free votes in the Commons to decide major planning projects would be "a complex business".

Not only could the whips apply direct pressure but could withdraw support at crucial times such as elections. An MP in a marginal seat would be an easy target, he claimed.

"It's not pressure necessarily from the whips, but pressure on yourself and you don't want to undermine your own ministers, because sooner or later there is going to be a general election and you want those ministers coming to give you support, particularly if you are in a marginal seat," he said.

The committee said the "business agenda" is too strongly represented in the government's proposals.

The government hit back saying its new approach to planning, detailed in a green paper earlier this year, was intended to speed up key projects like airports, roads, and housing.

It followed a marathon session of public inquires and appeals over the development of a fifth terminal at Heathrow airport.

But the Labour-led committee dismissed the fast-track planning proposals as misguided and unworkable.

Under the new approach parliament is to be given the final say on major infrastructure projects.

Public inquiries will only be held to discuss the exact nature of the plans - not to determine whether a new project is to be given the green light.

Bennett said ministers, rather than the planning system, have often been to blame for the huge delays associated with prominent development projects.

"The government should get its own house in order and issue policy statements well before major projects are promoted and decided," he said.

"Ministers of all parties have been too reluctant to bring forward or decide on proposals for fear of the electoral consequences."