- New Planning Act gives greater focus to climate and environmental considerations

Today the Government has put forth a proposal for a completely new planning part to the Planning and Building Act. “The new Act will make it easier for local authorities to deal with challenges posed by climate change, halt the loss of biodiversity, and safeguard people’s access to outdoor activities and recreation areas,” says Minister of Environment and Development Erik Solheim.

The implementation of planning pursuant to the Planning and Building Act will give the publicly elected bodies a good basis for guiding important trends in local communities and within Norwegian society as a whole.

A key task is to protect important environmental values in a long-term perspective in a society with continuing economic growth. Planning activities are meant to ensure that the various considerations are weighed openly, in a public arena. Good public planning is vital to protecting interests that may otherwise be underrepresented. This strengthens local democratic processes and promotes participation by all inhabitants in planning activities. It creates a basis on which local democracy may be exercised more through planning processes, and less by means of dispensations granted.

“Good plans that benefit the environment and take future concerns into account will reduce arbitrariness in development activity. This is why the general power o grant dispensations is being restricted. This will be of particular importance in relation to shore zones and mountain areas,” explains Solheim.

Central government planning guidelines will be drawn up for a geographically differentiated shore zone policy. These guidelines are to take the variations along the coastline into account. This means that it will be easier to obtain permission to build in areas that are not under pressure than in areas where the pressure is high. It is up to the municipality, via a democratic process, to devise plans that pay adequate heed to the local variations.

The municipal plans are to be adapted to local needs. The municipality is to adopt a planning strategy that identifies key planning tasks. It will also be possible to deal with planning and building projects in one and the same process.

The Act is expected to enter into force as from 1 July 2009.

New and improved elements in the amended Act.