HC Deb 17 February 1971 vol 811 cc1815-6
13. Mr. Hugh Jenkins

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, having regard to the need to protect the amenities of the Thamesside area in the matter of the Ashlone Road development, he will call in all applications for planning permission relating to this site.

The Minister for Local Government and Development (Mr. Graham Page)

No, Sir.

Mr. Jenkins

Will the Minister look again at that answer? Is it not the case that the Thames area has been ruined by over-development and wrong development, by commercial and industrial development? Is it not necessary that if the Thames is to be preserved as an area of amenity, the Government should take some concern about the matter and should not allow doctrinaire belief in private enterprise to override their public duty?

Mr. Page

Of course the Government are concerned with the development of Thamesside as a very important matter of environment of the London scene. But it does not follow that I must call in and deal with all planning applications affecting Thamesside. This is a job for the responsible local planning authority.