HC Deb 19 July 1966 vol 732 c367
27. Mr. Marten

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will issue a circular to local planning authorities recommending them not to make the granting of planning permission conditional upon the payment of a sum of money by the applicant towards a municipal car park; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. MacColl

No, Sir. Planning Bulletin No. 7 on Parking, issued to all planning authorities in 1965, stressed the well-known general principle that no payment of money, or other consideration, can be required as a condition of granting planning permission.

Mr. Marten

Is the Minister not aware that this happens and that some county councils grant planning permission only on condition of payment of sums of about £1,000 for car parking? Is this not absolute extortion? Would he look at this again and make those county councils which have demanded this extortionate blackmail hand back their ill-gotten gains?

Mr. MacColl

If the hon. Member will send me information of any cases about which he knows, I will certainly look into this.