Monday, 3 October 2022

Wrecking Ball Investment Zones?

One tool in the UK government's obsessive drive for 'economic growth', is the creation of 'Investment zones'. Investment zones will be granted tax incentives, 'liberalised' planning laws and receive wider support for the local economy. English Councils have been informed they will be able to apply for an Investment zone to be created in a National Park or another currently environmentally-protected area (https://www.theguardian.com/global/2022/oct/03/investment-zones-could-be-allowed-in-englands-national-parks). In addition to National Parks, government will be able to 'quickly approve' (meaning it would be difficult to prevent), Investment zone creation in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty; Sites of Special Scientific Interest; Buffer zones of World Heritage Sites or designated 'Green belt'. All these areas could experience increased house building alongside commercial development. There also appear to be few environmental constraints for Investment zones e.g. for sewage disposal or pollution prevention. The UK is a relatively tiny country and Investment zones should have no place in environmentally-protected areas. The destruction of National Parks etc, would actually cause considerable local economic damage, as well as constituting a loss of amenitity. This is environmental vandalisation on an epic scale!

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