Press Release

Government energy policies fall short

23 March 2010

Responding to the publication today (Tuesday) of a new report by MPs on the government's proposed energy policies.Fiona Howie, head of planning at Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), says:

"It is clear from this insightful report that the government needs to do far more work to avoid unnecessary environmental damage arising from the development of new energy infrastructure. For example, without significant changes proposed policies could lead to over 500 new large pylons in sensitive landscapes such as Dedham Vale on the Essex-Suffolk border. The report points out that many of these new lines may simply not be needed. We should be looking to reduce the impact of electricity transmission lines, not building more in some of our most valued areas of countryside.

"The report rightly questions the government's claims that many new power stations are needed when enough capacity has already been approved to 'keep the lights on' well past 2020. It also echoes our concern that the new Energy National Policy Statements could undermine established planning policies intended to control damaging development."