Comment

Representation ID: 9242

Received: 08/04/2009

Respondent: CPREssex

5. NATIONAL POLICIES

The December 2003 Air Transport White Paper (ATWP) states:

"The Government recognises the benefits that the expansion in air travel has brought to people's lives and to the economy of this country. Its increased affordability has opened up the possibilities of foreign travel for many people, and it provides the rapid access that is vital to many modern businesses. But we have to balance those benefits against the environmental impacts of air travel, in particular the growing contribution of aircraft emissions to climate change and the significant impact that airports can have on those living nearby."

Developments since the publication of the ATWP have altered the context from that in which it was written. Notably:

The publication in February 2005 of PPS1 with the effect that Local Planning Authorities must promulgate and apply policies which drive down the need to use energy and so reduce emissions (at para. 13) [page 287];

The Government's position as set out, for example, in the Planning and Climate Change Supplement of PPS1 :

"The Government believes that climate change is the greatest long-term challenge facing the world today. Addressing climate change is therefore the Government's principal concern for sustainable development."[page 383]
The Climate Change Bill, setting legally binding targets for carbon emissions reductions received the royal Assent in November 2008. Although aviation and shipping will initially only be monitored, if they fail to meet targets further action will ensue.

In relation to local plans, the Sustainability Appraisal Report (SAR) carried out by independent consultants for East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) prior to publication of its draft plan underlined the fundamental unsustainability of aviation expansion.

"But the acceptance of growth at all, and the reference to an 'acceptable balance' between economic benefits and environmental and other considerations, still fails to grasp the point that further growth in air travel provision is environmentally unsustainable"