HC Deb 25 February 1964 vol 690 cc221-2
17. Mr. Wingfield Digby

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what steps he is taking to draw the attention of local planning committees to the problems which will arise of change of user as more railways are closed under the Beeching Plan.

Mr. Corfield

My right hon. Friend is not aware of any special need for guidance; but if my hon. Friend has any particular points in mind, he will be glad to consider them.

Mr. Digby

Is it not a fact that there is need for change of user as disused railways will become theoretically agricultural land although in fact they are derelict land? Are not some steps necessary to be taken by the Minister to give guidance to local planning authorities which otherwise might take no action at all?

Mr. Corfield

It is not for local planning authorities to bring forward applications for change of user unless they own the land or have an arrangement with the Railways Board.

Mr. Snow

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is substance in this Question, bearing in mind what has happened in the West Midlands? I have it "straight from the horse's mouth", if that is not an indelicate expression, that the planning provisions for overspill in the West Midlands were not taken into consideration when the data for the Beeching Plan were prepared and even now lines are being closed in areas which have been developed since the Beeching Plan was published.

Mr. Corfield

With due respect to the hon. Member, that is a totally different question from the Question on the Order Paper, which relates to change of user resulting from land being given up.

Mr. Denis Howell

Will the hon. Gentleman tell us what steps the Government are taking to work out the cost to local authorities of the application of the Beeching and Buchanan proposals? How much is it likely to cost? How on earth can local authorities afford it under the present system of financing local government?

Mr. Corfield

I should be delighted to go into that, but this Question deals with the application to derelict land.