Planning Appeals (Hansard, 7 May 1957)

§ 4. Mr. John Hall
asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government to what extent his decisions in planning appeals are based on the evidence given at the inquiries; and what other considerations are taken into account.

§ Mr. H. Brooke
In determining a planning appeal, I am under an obligation to have regard to the provisions of the development plan for the area and to any other material considerations. The evidence given at the inquiry will normally constitute the most important of these considerations; and the extent to which other considerations may have to be taken into account will vary according to the circumstances of the particular case. It is the practice to set out in the letter announcing my decision not only a summary of the evidence given at the inquiry but also the reasons for the decision.

§ Mr. Hall
Is my right hon. Friend aware that there are times when it would appear that the Minister's decision has gone against the weight of the evidence given at the inquiry? Is it possible for him to make it quite clear to an appellant that there may be other circumstances, which may not have been referred to in the inquiry, which guide the decision on these matters?

§ Mr. Brooke
I hope that the Answer I have given, which is a carefully considered Answer, will set out as clearly as it is possible to set it out the manner in which the Minister has to reach his decisions on appeal cases.

§ Mr. Lindgren
As the other considerations referred to by the hon. Member for Wycombe (Mr. John Hall) are often representations made by other Government Departments, would it not be better that the Government Departments gave evidence before the inquiry in the same way as anyone else gives evidence?

§ Mr. Brooke
That is one of the matters on which the Franks Committee has received evidence, and we shall give careful consideration to that Committee's Report when it is available.

§ Mr. Fletcher-Cooke
What is the objection to the proposal put forward by the hon. Member for Wellingborough (Mr. Lindgren)? Why is it that my right hon. Friend's expert witnesses, giving evidence before the Franks Committee, have resisted this suggestion so strongly?

§ Mr. Brooke
It is not customary for representatives of Government Departments to give evidence in contradiction to one another. The evidence given on behalf of my Department to the Franks Committee was. I think, very cogent.