Local planning disputes can become a matter for EU policy when EU policies that have direct relevance towards planning are affected, e.g. Natura 2000; EIA Directive, or if the planning dispute has a cross-border element and relates to a TEN-E project. Local planning disputes are otherwise an issue for the national government to work out. It has to be made clear that these disputes are not legitimate grounds for failure by national governments to meet EU targets such as a national renewable energy target.

When a local planning dispute threatens to delay a TEN-E project, the EU Commission should put pressure on the national government and try to clarify the project to local communities.

The EU should spend much more effort to prevent local planning disputes by linking up impact assessments to involve local communities at an earlier stage in TEN projects. To that end, more funds should be allocated for IA in DG TREN.