<b><b>Will Howie looks at how the planning reform Green Paper intends to deal with some of the bigger projects and argues that maintaining everyone&amp;’s involvement in the process will ensure the same old slow service</b></b><br><b>Lord Falconer of Thoroton issued his Green Paper on changes to the planning system before last Christmas as promised, and its objectives are clearly stated on the first page. They read as follows: <i>&amp;“The present planning system takes too long to process major infrastructure projects such as new trunk roads, airports and runways through to a decision. The process is lengthy, unwieldy and expensive for all concerned. Although these projects are relatively infrequent they are essential to our economic future and bring benefits through better services. We need a modern and fair process for making decisions about them.&amp;” </i></b><br><b><b>About time too</b></b><br> The entire construction industry and its attendant professions will applaud those sentiments while gently saying &amp;“none too soon&amp;”.<p></p><p>The proposals go much further than the statement of objective suggests. For, in addition to roads and airport works, the Green Paper includes both nuclear and thermal power station, power lines, renewable energy sources (probable so-called wind farms as long as Michael Meacher is around), nuclear processing plants, …