§ 30. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will give instructions to the inspector whom he is sending to Newcastle-under-Lyme to investigate the Sutton Silica Company's appeal under Section 17 of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947, to take evidence from local residents of the noise and smoke nuisance being caused by the company's works.
§ Mr. DeedesNo, Sir. The issue now before my right hon. Friend is, as he explained in reply to the hon. Member's Question on 31st October, simply whether there has been a material change of use within the legal meaning of that expression. Evidence about noise and smoke would not be relevant to that question in the present case.
§ Mr. SwinglerIs it not a fact that evidence of what has resulted from changes in use or development is relevant to the question of planning permission? Surely, therefore, the Minister should alter the ruling that appears to have been given, and allow the inspector to come down to hear the complaints about recent nuisance as a result of changes in use which are relevant to the question whether planning permission ought to be required in this case.
§ Mr. DeedesThe appeal before my right hon. Friend is against the determination of the Newcastle-under-Lyme council that the use of these premises for drying, grinding and storing silica sand involves a material change of use. That is to say, the representations about noise and grit are really beside the point of the present appeal.