§ 41. Mr. Thomas Coxasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will review the existing legislation regarding industrial user rights.
§ Mr. Graham PageMy right hon. Friend does not have in mind any general review of industrial user rights. However, the Use Classes Order is under review. He will, of course, be glad to consider any particular point which the hon. Member wishes to bring to his attention.
§ Mr. CoxI thank the Minister for that reply, but is he aware that under present legislation a local authority cannot refuse planning permission once an industrial site has acquired industrial user rights even though an area can have completely changed in character since the site was first developed? Will he therefore consider granting powers to local authorities so that they can judge each application on its merits and its suitability to the site concerned?