HC Deb 19 June 1956 vol 554 cc1228-9
35 Mr. Hurd

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) what guidance he has given in terms of the Town and Country Planning Acts to local planning authorities in the giving of their consent to the building of new petrol filling stations;

(2) how many consents under the Town and Country Planning Act were granted in the past year for the building of new petrol filling stations;

(3) in how many cases in the past year he has allowed, and in how many cases disallowed, appeals from the decisions of local planning authorities on the siting of petrol filling stations.

Mr. Sandys

So far, no formal guidance has been given to local planning authorities on this subject. I do not know how many consents were granted by local planning authorities. In the 12 months ended 31st March last, 61 appeals were allowed and 151 dismissed.

Mr. Hurd

Does my right hon. Friend find that there is a wide divergence in the practice of local planning authorities? Has he noticed that the rash of new petrol stations is more obvious in some districts than in others, and will he have another look at the whole problem?

Mr. Sandys

I think that there has been, perhaps, a keener competition between petrol firms lately, and I will certainly consider whether it would be useful and appropriate for me to give some guidance on this matter.