4. Mr. R. C. Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received in relation to his powers under the Town and Country Planning Acts concerning the proposed closure of Southampton ice rink; and what replies he has sent.
§ The Minister for Local Government and Development (Mr. Graham Page)Several letters and telegrams have been received against the closure, and objecting to the current application to build houses and flats on the site. The only powers my right hon. Friend has under the Town and Country Planning Act relate to the planning application, not directly to the closure. He does not consider that the issues raised justify his taking the decision on the planning application out of the hands of the local planning authority.
Mr. MitchellIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that many top class young skaters have been trained at Southampton ice rink and that if it closes the nearest alternatives will be Streatham or Richmond? Does he agree that it is important that cities such as Southampton should retain as many of their leisure facilities as possible?
§ Mr. PageI appreciate the hon. Gentleman's points, but the planning application does not seem to raise other than local issues of a kind which would not justify my right hon. Friend interfering with the local authority's decision.
§ Mr. James HillAs the Southampton ice rink is in my constituency, may I ask whether my right hon. Friend is aware that the local Southern Evening Echo published a statement by the Rank Organisation in which it said that it had no immediate plans for closing this ice rink and that it is a well-used local amenity?