Lawyers slam Heathrow delay

Planning lawyers this week welcomed the decision to allow a fifth terminal to be built at London's Heathrow airport - but criticised the public inquiry for taking two-and-a-half years to reach its decision.It came just three weeks after the government announced proposals for a 'radical overhaul' of the UK planning system.City firm CMS Cameron McKenna acted for BAA (formerly British Airways Authority) during the inquiry and Chris Williams, the lead partner on the case, backed government plans to streamline the process.

'Although it was right that the most thorough investigation into every aspect of the proposal was undertaken in such a case of national interest, the fact remains that the planning inquiry did take far too long,' he said.David Hardy, in-house counsel at niche Leeds planning firm Wilbraham & Co, said he 'deplored' the time taken by the inquiry.

'While local views need to be respected, developments of national importance should not get bogged down in lumbering public inquiries,' he said.

The 'wholesale change' to the planning system promised by the government in its recent green paper would include a fast-track for major development schemes.

However, the Environmental Law Foundation (ELF) has expressed concern at the proposed reforms.

ELF president Martin Polden, a consultant at London firm Ross & Craig, said: 'Before changes to the law are made, an in-depth inquiry into the operation of the planning system is needed, as the reality is that the land use system in this country is driven by financial gain without regard for the pressures on the land and environment.' He said the ELF would be prepared to set up such an inquiry, taking in all interested bodies.Victoria MacCallum