Environmentalist anger at planning move
Leaked document reveals moves to limit public inquiries on major projects
Environmentalists are claiming that efforts by ministers to block public objections to planning applications could fall foul of human rights law.
Revelations that ministers are looking to take powers over strategic developments such as motorway extensions, nuclear power stations, airports and wind farms prompted anger from opposition parties and environmentalists.
Under the proposal, outlined in a leaked document said to form the basis of a planning white paper to be published next month, public inquiries into such major projects would be limited in scope. If a scheme was deemed as having national strategic importance, it would no longer be possible to challenge the need for it at inquiry.
Instead, the inquiry would be able only to look at issues such as the location or environmental effects of a proposed scheme.
Duncan McLaren, chief executive of Friends of the Earth Scotland, suggested the move was unlawful, as the European Convention on Human Rights states there must be a proper right of appeal on issues affecting people's legal rights.
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