Town Centre Schemes

HC Deb 18 June 1963 vol 679 cc208-9

30. Mr. Boyden

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he is aware that approvals for town centre schemes are proceeding slowly; and if he will take action to expedite them.

Mr. Corfield

These schemes often raise difficult and controversial issues affecting the life of a town. They invariably involve a public inquiry and sometimes two. But my right hon. Friend is aware of the need to expedite decisions and will do his utmost to see that things are speeded up.

Mr. Boyden

Can the hon. Gentleman give some indication of how he is to do this? Does he recollect that on 28th May he told me that only 12 approvals had been given in 12 months and that his Annual Report tells us that 178 are outstanding and not likely to be tackled within the period of about two to three years? What action is the hon. Gentleman proposing to take on this?

Mr. Corfield

A Departmental working party on the subject has recommended measures to simplify the presentation and handling of the schemes, and a circular on this is being prepared in consultation with the local authority associations. When plans for comprehensive redevelopment are being considered, the statutory authorities will be urged to concentrate on essentials. It is not so much the form of submission which causes delay but the sheer complexity of redevelopment, involving large numbers of interests which have to be given very careful consideration.

Mr. Lubbock

Will the hon. Gentleman use his influence with the Kent County Council to expedite consideration of the town centre redevelopment scheme submitted by the Orpington Urban District Council?

Mr. Sydney Irving

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, in addition to the schemes outstanding last year, it is estimated that about 230 schemes will be submitted in the next two years, and that, at the rate at which his Department is giving approval, it will take to the end of the century to deal with them all?

Mr. Corfield

It would be worse to have bad schemes approved speedily than to have good ones which take a longer time.