§ 58. Sir P. Harrisasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the proposed building de- 580 velopment at the foot of Box Hill; and whether, before agreeing to any alteration of the zoning of this area, he will consult the trustees of the National Trust, who acquired Box Hill for the nation, to satisfy himself that its amenities will not be interefered with?
§ Sir K. WoodThe control of building in the district is a matter for the district council. A planning scheme prepared by the council has been submitted to me for approval and has been the subject of a public inquiry at which it was open to interested parties, including the National Trust, to state their views. I have not yet received my inspector's report but I shall certainly have regard to the amenities of the area before coming to a decision on any of the proposals in the scheme.
§ 59. Mr. Ammonasked the Minister of Health whether, seeing that the Surrey County Council has incurred large expenditure in preserving the amenities of the Mickleham Valley and Box Hill areas, he proposes to consult that body before agreeing to any variation of the Town Planning Act in favour of the proposal now before him to erect in this area a large number of small houses as a speculative venture in the interests of private persons?
§ Sir K. WoodNo proposal is before me for the erection of houses by private persons in this area. The planning scheme prepared by the urban district council for the control of development in their area has been submitted to me for approval, and the county council have already been consulted on the proposals in the scheme. Their representations are under consideration together with those of other persons interested in the scheme proposals.
§ Mr. AmmonIn considering this matter will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the provision of a green belt in the county council area?