RE: Results?18 Nov 2020 08:28
Penguins, the key word from that statement is "may". That does not mean that they will wait.
I do not see any reason for the case to be delayed. SCC have done nothing unlawful in providing approvals.
The UK's own policy is for carbon neutrality in a couple of decades time, it is not right here, right now. And even then, it is not a complete moratorium on use of oil based products, it is a neutrality "target".
Seeing that the UK Gov only yesterday brought forward a policy to ban the sale of petrol/diesel only cars from 2030; they therefore evidencing through policy that they are still supportive of oil use beyond 2030 in cars. From 2030, new cars will have to be hybrid or electric or alternative (folks can peddle about for all I care). The government will not be banning continued use of existing petrol/diesel cars at this point; in fact, they are yet to make any policy public in regards of the future use of such cars, but given the classic car market and given that dealers can sell such cars right up until 31st Dec 2029, the public will certainly be granted a considerable amount of time for their use of such vehicles.
Remember, it is about neutrality, not elimination. I fully support the reduction in CO2, and domestically we do huge amounts to contribute to our own reduction in consumption. But I do take issue with XR and Nimby types who have radical views like that of Ms Finch. She has the right to object and to take a legal challenge to court, but her whole case is flawed with invalid working assumption being that SCC acted unlawfully. Show us the specific law broken, and then consider the actions of our own government in the last 24 hours which clearly is supportive of oil use domestically in cars for many many years to come.
Maybe the alternative is for Ms Finch to consider lobbying parliament and raising proceeds through crowdfunding for higher density of electric charging points. The solution to the problem is not another problem, if Ms Finch wins, this opens the door to a complete shutdown of all planning applications for all developments across the country. Roads, housing, etc, etc, as all will have considerable CO2 output. It cannot be a matter for county council planners to address, it is a national policy and central government issue. The solution to the problem, must be a solution, else the snake eats its own head and we end up living in a society which recedes rapidly into financial ruin.
Hence the reason why the government are there supporting SCC, they are not there for a free cuppa and a slice of cake. They are there to ensure that a case like this does not create legal precedence for a flood of similar cases. It'll be nipped in the bud.
Just my opinion of course, and enjoying debate on the matter.