HC Deb 14 November 1973 vol 864 cc479-80
1. Mr. Grylls

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many square feet of new buildings are proposed by Ready Mix Concrete Company at the Thorpe Water Leisure Park.

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

I understand that proposals recently approved by Surrey County Council include about 87,000 square feet of new buildings.

Mr. Grylls

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the plans suggest a Battersea Fun Fair type development in what is a green belt area? Is it right that a decision of this magnitude should be reached behind closed doors, because this only breeds rumour and counter-rumour? Will my right hon. Friend consider appointing a public inquiry so that local views can be expressed publicly, because only this will quell the local anger?

Mr. Page

This development involves about 400 acres of worked-out gravel lagoons as a water park. The outline proposal was referred by my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State in 1971 as a substantial departure, but we thought it right to leave it to the Surrey County Council to decide. The council granted planning permission in January 1972 and detailed permission on 1st November. It would be wrong of us, not having called in the first application, now to investigate the details. This is surely a matter for the local planning authority to deal with.