§ 9. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs, in relation to 1120 Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council's appeal, reference 1436/40620/70L.2(d) 11741, against Staffordshire County Council's proviso to planning consent for the use of land at Holditch, Chesterton, that a trunk road should be included in the plan, if he will consult with the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation about his present proposal that the trunk road should follow the line of the present Liverpool Road and Talke Road, Chesterton; and, in the light of these consultations, if he will reconsider whether it is necessary or desirable to include a road in the Holditch plan.
§ Mr. BevinsI am aware that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation no longer proposes to construct a trunk road along the line cutting through the Holditch Industrial Estate, but the Staffordshire County Council, which is the local planning authority for the area, considers that there is a need for some kind of road here. Neither I nor my right hon. Friend see any reason to dissent from this view, which was upheld when dismissing the appeal on 9th May.
§ Mr. SwinglerIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in the original plan the road included in the Holditch plan was the trunk road but that in the meantime the Minister of Transport has changed his scheme for a trunk road? Why is it necessary, therefore, to include the road in the plan? Does the hon. Gentleman know of anybody in this area who wants the road?
§ Mr. BevinsYes, Sir. It is the view of Staffordshire County Council that a road is necessary through the Holditch Industrial Estate as well as the other thoroughfare to which the hon. Member has referred.