HC Deb 06 December 1972 vol 847 cc1292-3
20. Mr. Sydney Chapman

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the current average time between the lodging of an appeal against a planning decision, the hearing of that appeal and a decision by him; and how these times compare with two years ago.

Mr. Rippon

The current average time between the lodging of a planning appeal and the decision is 51 weeks where I decide the appeals and 36 weeks where the appeal is decided by an inspector— about 31 weeks of which represents the time awaiting the local inquiry. Comparable figures two years ago, when the volume of appeals was about 40 per cent, less than now, were 43 weeks, 29 weeks and 24 weeks respectively.

Mr. Chapman

I recognise that the number of planning applications going to local planning authorities has sharply increased in the last year to almost 500,000, and that more than four-fifths are permitted, but would my right hon. and learned Friend nevertheless agree that those figures cause great concern? Would not he further agree that in the minds of the public the administration for dealing with appeals will never be considered satisfactory until the average time between the lodging of an appeal and the decision of the Minister is reduced to the statutory period that a local planning authority has to deal with any application, namely, two months?

Mr. Rippon

Those figures give me no cause for satisfaction. I think it was recognised many months ago—and my right hon. Friend who is now the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry took action—that we needed more inspectors. They are now coming forward. One always has to bear in mind that in making planning appeals people put in a lot of time and effort in putting forward their proposals. They have to be considered very carefully. I certainly take my hon. Friend's point.

Mr. Denis Howell

Why does it take the Secretary of State 15 weeks longer to decide an appeal than his inspectors?

Mr. Rippon

Many of the appeals which are decided by me are the more complicated ones. Inevitably, therefore, the process of considering them is longer. I hope that more appeals will in future go straight to inspectors. That should follow from the new regulations which have just been laid before the House. The figure is now 60 per cent., and I hope that it will be about 75 per cent. or 80 per cent.