§ 7. Mr. Huntasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will issue a circular to local authorities redefining the distinction between operational and non-operational railway land in the consideration of planning applications.
§ Mr. PeytonThe distinction is of long standing and generally well understood. It would not be appropriate to analyse it in detail, because disputed cases can be referred to me for settlement.
§ Mr. HuntIs my right hon. Friend aware that there is some confusion on this point in Bromley, particularly about the activities of Amalgamated Road-stone at Chislehurst goods yard, and that many of my constituents are objecting to the intolerable noise and nuisance but that repeated representations by them have been met with evasion by Bromley Council and with apparent indifference from my right hon. Friend's Department? Will he undertake to investigate the situation to ascertain how this company is operating on non-operational land without planning permission?
§ Mr. PeytonI can assure my hon. Friend that my Department is never indifferent to problems which worry him, but in these cases the local authorities have power to serve a discontinuance notice and this they should do. If my hon. Friend thinks that the good offices of my Department could help in some way, I hope he will let me know. I shall be glad to help if I can.