HC Deb 12 March 1957 vol 566 cc949-50
3. Mr. H. Wilson

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware of the decision to build a garage in the vicinity of Trent Avenue, Huyton, within Liverpool but adjacent to Huyton-with-Roby, to the detriment of local amenities; and if he will use his powers under Section 14 (3) of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947, or otherwise, to provide that local planning authorities, before granting permission to develop land shall consult in appropriate cases with neighbouring local authorities and/or with persons whose amenities are likely to be prejudiced.

The Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs (Mr. Henry Brooke)

Planning permission for the erection of the garage has been granted by the Liverpool City Council. In reply to the second part of the Question, Article 9 of the General Development Order requires a local planning authority to consult a neighbouring local planning authority before granting permission for development if it appears to them likely to affect land in the area of the neighbouring authority.

Mr. Wilson

As that procedure has not been followed in this case, will the right hon. Gentleman once again draw the attention of local authorities to the need to consult neighbouring local authorities in these boundary cases? Secondly, would he consider, as a more long-term proposition, whether it is not desirable, when building of this kind affects local amenities, that those whose amenities will be affected might have the right to be heard before a decision is reached?

Mr. Brooke

With regard to the first part of that question, I am quite sure that the Liverpool City Council was not unaware of the provisions of Article 9, but it decided not to act in that sense. I have no reason to think that the local planning authorities are not perfectly well aware of their duties under the Article, though the interpretation might not be absolutely uniform. The second part of the right hon. Gentleman's question raises further considerations.

Mr. Mitchison

Was the Huyton-with-Roby Council consulted by the Liverpool Corporation in this case? If not, why not?

Mr. Brooke

No, Sir. The Liverpool City Council, which, after all, is an autonomous authority in these matters, decided that it was not incumbent upon it to do so.