54. Mr. B. Harrisonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he is likely to be able to give his consent to the Essex Development Plan, and his decision on the objections raised.
§ Mr. PowellMy right hon. Friend cannot forecast a precise date, but there will be no avoidable delay.
Mr. HarrisonWhile thanking my hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask whether he does not realise that there has already been a very great delay and that the whole development of towns like Witham, in Essex, is held up because the appeals have not been dealt with expeditiously by his Department?
§ Mr. PowellThere is no reason why individual applications for permission should not be dealt with in advance of the approval of a development plan. I ask my hon. Friend to remember that the public inquiry into this plan lasted six months.