§ 4. Mr. Allasonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will take steps to authorise time limits on the grant of planning permission so that such permission should lapse if not used within a certain period.
§ Mr. MacCollPlanning authorities already have power to do this in individual cases. My right hon. Friend is, however, considering whether any amendment of the law would be desirable so as to standardise practice.
§ Mr. AllasonHas the Parliamentary Secretary noted that his right hon. Friend the Minister of Land and Natural Resources advocated this at a town planning meeting in January? How is it that that Minister announces this policy rather than the Minister of Housing and Local Government?
§ Mr. MacCollI do not think that there is any difference of opinion about this. In some cases, particularly where the proposal is unique, there is a strong case for having time limits. On the other hand, a difficulty in other cases is that it simply encourages token development to keep the planning permission alive, which does not help anyone.