§ 4. Mr. Tugendhatasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now take steps to introduce new regulations requiring local authorities to inform the public about applications for proposed property developments.
§ 85. Mr. Sutcliffeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he will take to ensure that members of the public are adequately informed of planning proposals likely to affect their amenities or property.
§ The Minister for Local Government and Development (Mr. Graham Page)Local planning authorities are already under a legal obligation to give publicity to proposed substantial departures from the development plan; to certain specified developments which could have a particularly adverse effect on neighbours; and to development affecting a conservation area.
For the other 400,000 planning applications a year, where it is for the local planning authority to exercise its discretion on whether publicity should be given, I now have the views of local authority associations and other representative bodies on the draft of a new circular. I also have under review the reconciliation of people's wishes to know what is being planned with the need to prevent unnecessary "blight" to property and unnecessary delays in planning.
§ Mr. TugendhatI realise from that reply that my right hon. Friend is aware 397 that this matter is of deep concern to London and, I believe, other areas. Would it be possible for the Ministry to bring forward legislation on this matter in the near future, or, if not, perhaps to support the Private Member's Bill standing in the name of my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Handsworth (Mr. Chapman) which has, I believe, bipartisan support?
§ Mr. PageI should like to bring forward legislation on this as soon as the legislative programme allows, but I want to see what comes out of the review which is now being carried on.
§ Dr. MillerIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that delays in planning permission are often the cause of a reduction in house-building? Will he ensure that there are no undue delays when planning permission is sought, in particular for the building of houses?
§ Mr. PageYes, but one always has to balance the rights of individual property owners to object with the desire to streamline planning.
Mr. Dennis HowellWhen will the right hon. Gentleman produce a Green Paper or White Paper on the subject of the Government's thinking on blight and injurious affection and related matters?