Silkin Test

The Silkin Test is a UK planning policy designed to control major developments which will have an impact on areas classified as National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

The three main criteria state that -

1. it must be in the National interest;
2. there is no practicable alternative to development in a National Park;
3. must be built in a way that minimises detrimental effects on the environment. [cite press release
title = Environmental conditions placed on South Wales pipeline
work = Department of Trade and Industry (National)
publisher = Government News Network
date = 7 February 2007
url = http://www.gnn.gov.uk/environment/fullDetail.asp?ReleaseID=262409&NewsAreaID=2&NavigatedFromDepartment=False]

The test is contained in Planning Policy Statement (PPS) 7: Sustainable Development in Rural Areas (formerly PPG7 [until August 2004 the test was contained in it's precursor - Planning Policy Guidance (PPG) 7: The Countryside – Environmental Quality and Economic and Social Development] )

History

The criteria were first proposed by the then Minister of Town and Country Planning, Lewis Silken MP in 1949. [cite journal
last = Brotherton
first = D I
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = The evolution and implications of mineral planning policy in the national parks of England and Wales
journal = Environment and Planning
volume = A21
issue = 9
pages = 1229–1240
publisher =
location =
date = 1989
url = http://www.envplan.com/abstract.cgi?id=a211229
doi = 10.1068/a211229]

Notable applications

South Wales Gas Pipeline (2007)

ee also

Lewis Silkin, 1st Baron Silkin

Sandford approach (1976)

Waldegrave formulation (1987)

References and footnotes

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[http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200102/cmhansrd/vo020208/text/20208w04.htm Hansard]