Deregulation dangers in northern plan

FORMER Northern Powerhouse Minister Jake Berry has introduced a new report “A Northern Big Bang” by calling for massive investment in the region’s economy (Tom Richmond, The Yorkshire Post, February 20).

The report recognises that a much greater proportion of investment needs to be directed towards the north of England. Its weakness is that it is so attached to the idea of deregulation to achieve that investment.

It describes plenty of tax breaks and financial incentives for corporate and foreign investors, but says little about how any profits made from projects will be kept in the region. How will it be ensured that those employed receive decent wages and working conditions? Where are the ideas to improve training and skills?

The suggestion that any major planning application which has not been determined within two months should be automatically consented is simply reckless. Local planning authorities are already overstretched and larger applications are always complex.

Developers would have little incentive to provide adequate information because any resultant delays would be regarded as the fault of the planning authority.

The system already lacks robustness. Recent weeks have seen plans granted for a coal mine in Cumbria and an expansion of capacity at Leeds Bradford Airport. If they go ahead, these schemes will make a mockery of our efforts to tackle climate change. The North deserves better ideas than these.