Construction protection fears

Legal rights 'threatened'

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Residents will lose legal rights to complain about noise or pollution caused by major infrastructure construction projects under proposals to revamp the planning system, council leaders have warned.

The Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services (LACORS), which oversees councils' environment protection work, has raised concerns about a clause in the Planning Bill which it says will prevent councils from acting on complaints by residents about major developments once they have been given the green light.

Clause 151 states that no proceedings may be brought in relation to development which has been granted consent other than those brought for breaches of statutory duties.

The clause applies to the major infrastructure projects, which will come under a new consent regime under the bill.

LACORS has written to local government secretary Hazel Blears to outline its concerns.

Cllr Geoffrey Theobald OBE, chairman of LACORS, said: "What this clause effectively says is that roads, airports and power stations are more important than people's health.

"Everybody has a right to enjoy their own home without being disturbed by pollution such as noise, dust, smells or artificial light and councils will do everything they can to make sure this right is upheld."

"By exempting major infrastructure projects from nuisance laws the Government is tying the hands of councils, leaving them unable to respond to the legitimate concerns of local people."