New faces at the OPDM and new stationery at the CPRE

NEW PLANNING TEAM ANNOUNCED IN BLAIR RESHUFFLE

The ministerial brief for planning and development changed hands yet again last month, a casualty of the Prime Minister’s controversial reshuffle.

Barely a year into the job, Tony McNulty relinquishes his role as planning minister and joins the Department for Transport as a junior minister. Taking his place is former deputy chief whip Keith Hill who joins the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister as Minister for Housing and Planning. Mr Hill is the third planning minister appointed to the post since the 2001 general election. He is joined by the Blairite former junior health minister Yvette Cooper, who moves from the Lord Chancellor’s department into the ODPM as Under-Secretary of State supporting Mr Hill and Lord Rooker.

Housing Today magazine writes: ‘There does seem to be a method in this madness, and the new arrangements could actually be good for housing. Having both Keith Hill and Yvette Cooper in the Commons with a housing and planning role should give more muscle to getting homes built and the planning system reformed.’

Mr Blair’s reshuffle caused uproar on the opposition benches and in the leader columns of most national newspapers after it was announced that, along with a clutch of ministers and junior ministers, the 1,000 year-old Lord Chancellorship would be dispensed with. A new Department for Constitutional Affairs headed by the Prime Minister’s former flatmate, Lord Falconer, will replace it.

The PM was pressured to explain his reshuffle to the Commons following the initial announcement, outlining more fully the implications of radical reforms to the constitution.

A recent Guardian/ICM poll shows that the Tories appear to be making some gains following a difficult month for Labour. The poll shows them to be just four points behind Labour – the closest since the 2000 petrol crisis – with 34% of those polled saying they would vote for them.

A SHARPER IDENTITY FOR THE CPRE

After 77 years of fighting to protect the countryside, the Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) has rebranded and repackaged itself in order to battle on into the 21st century.

With a new ‘ancient tree’ logo (above), the CPRE now becomes the Campaign to Protect Rural England. The trademark acronym remains, but it is the new emphasis on its campaigning work which stands out.

Outgoing CPRE chairman Sir David Ford said: 'A change to our name was overdue. We are no longer a council and it is important everyone understands that campaigning for the countryside is at the heart of our charity.’

‘I have been chairman for five years and there have been few periods in the 77-year history of CPRE that have presented a greater challenge to us. The foot and mouth epidemic, the urban and rural green papers and the planning bill will all have a major impact on the English countryside.’

He added: 'We will continue to focus on our campaigning but we will also carry on putting forward reasoned arguments and practical solutions. That is the best way for our charity to help protect and enhance the beauty of the English countryside. By so doing we will ensure we are listened to and are able to make a difference.’