Campaigners claim looser planning rules are putting beauty spots at risk

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) pressure group claims that an ongoing shake-up of the planning system will pose a threat to landscapes such as the Cornwall coast or the Cotswolds in Gloucestershire.

It would allegedly see nuclear plants, motorways and airport runways encroach into Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), which rely on planning controls for their conservation.

Shaun Spiers, CPRE chief executive, said: “The ‘growth at any cost’ stance promoted by some within the Government places our countryside in enormous danger.

The Government should be giving very clear guidance to local authorities to protect landscapes in AONB.”

In a report the group claims a Localism Bill currently being discussed by the House of Lords and a new National Planning Policy Framework to be published this month will loosen restrictions on development.

Mr Spiers said: “CPRE believes that the Government is risking an environmental disaster, and many battles with local communities, by putting the economic aims of the planning system ahead of its social and environmental purposes.”