CBI attacks Tory planning stance

Business leaders have criticised Conservative opposition to the Planning Bill.

The CBI on Monday called for Tory peers to defy the party leadership and back the legislation when is debated in the Lords this week.

Ahead of the second reading in the upper house on Tuesday, deputy director general John Cridland said the proposal to fast-track major planning projects was crucial to giving the go-ahead to green energy projects, as well as more controversial schemes such as airports and nuclear power stations.

The Tories are concerned at a loss of democratic control in planning decisions contained in the legislation, with the creation of a new Infrastructure Planning Commission.

But Cridland said the Conservatives would be damaging their environmental credentials if they continued their opposition.

"The Bill would allow Britain to invest in its future, building new power stations that supply our homes and the infrastructure that connects them," he argued.

"It would also encourage new wind farms that help us cut carbon emissions and would allow planning permission to reflect the national interest."

"The Conservative Party is committed to climate change abatement and the use of less fossil fuels," he added.

"Tory MPs are keen to make progress on renewables, but many things on their agenda cannot be achieved if they pursue their opposition to the bitter end."