Conflict over a resource At a local scale

UK conflicts tend to be over building work Second runway in Manchester Newbury bypass New container Terminal at Southampton The building of the Trafford Centre Heathrow Terminal 5

How do you find a solution ? Market Processes Planning Processes Combination of the two

Market processes This is the ability to pay the going rates to take precedence over any local or national concerns.

Planning Processes Local Autority planners are asked to listen to: Local community Organisation responsible for a proposal. Overall development control Any refusals can result in the case being taken further.

What is the right decision ? The advantages should be greater than the negative comments The conflict between different groups within a local community. The wider benefits of a scheme versus the local opposition.

The Newbury Bypass

Who was involved ? The local council of Newbury The local residents of Newbury The Farmers of the area to the West of Newbury. The road haulers who wish to travel to the M4. The Third battle of Newbury The Newbury bypass supporters group.

Where is Newbury ? Berkshire South of the M4 Links the South coast with the Midlands. Hi – Tech companies located around the area.

What is Newbury like ?

What are the proposals ? To build a new bypass to the west of Newbury to ease North / South moving traffic through the town.

Why does Newbury need a bypass? 50,600 vehicles use the road in a day. 15% of them are heavy good vehicles. Traffic congestion is common for most of the day. Tourist traffic often increased the congestion in the summer. A new superstore added to the congestion in the area. Traffic travels via Newbury to the M4 which is 3 miles south of the town.

Parties for the proposal Department of Transport for the Highways agency. This will improve the transport problems in the area. Newbury Council had conducted a survey and found out that the bypass would reduce traffic by 36% and goods vehicles by 88%. Residents of Newbury – believed that the bypass would reduce the traffic congestion and air pollution in the town, with far fewer heavy vehicles, and that it would be safer to get work and move around the village. The AA wanted the bypass as it would reduce journey time for drivers.

Parties against the proposal Loss of farmland to the West of Newbury. The bypass would cut through woodland and National Trust land. This will involve cutting trees down. Disturbance of archaeological sites as well as the first battle of Newbury. Increased risk of flooding where bridge structures cross. Damage to wildlife of the Rivers Lambourn and Kennett and their valleys. Removal of a site of Special Scientific Interest.

The Third Battle of Newbury This group was created in protest to the building of the bypass. They argued against the Newbury bypass

The Conflict Newbury bypass, protesters camp in the trees with a supply of food to prevent the need to come down. Protesters climb up trees to prevent them from being cut down.

Newbury bypass protestor. After breaking through a security fence, protesters, against the Newbury bypass, gain control of the heavy machinery being used to build the road.

The outcome The bypass was built in 2000 The cost was £75million as a result of planning processes and policing.

Processes to resolve the conflict. Meetings with the local community, and objectors to the process. Listened to the organisation responsible for the proposals of change. Planners Have overall development control in the context of the public.

Task You are a planner working for Newbury Council. Your manager is planning to attend a meeting to discuss the impact of the Newbury bypass. In order to prepare your manager for the meeting you need to present an argument as to whether the Newbury bypass should be constructed. You must Justify your reasons.