HC Deb 17 October 1973 vol 861 cc173-4
1. Mr. Sydney Chapman

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the current situation regarding planning applications and appeals.

The Secretary of State for the Environment (Mr. Geoffrey Rippon)

Although the number of appeals received by the end of September was almost equal to the total for 1972 it is likely that twice as many decisions will be issued this year as in 1972. The great majority of these decisions were made by inspectors on the basis of written representations and within the average of 33 weeks. Where inquiries are necessary the position is still not satisfactory; the effect of recruitment for the inspectorate and of other measures upon the increasing volume of work has not yet been fully felt.

Comprehensive information about the number of planning applications received by local planning authorities this year or average times taken is not yet available. I have asked Mr. George Dobry, Q.C. assisted by a strong advisory group, to make a review of the development control and appeal systems. Mr. Dobry expects to complete his review in six months and to make an interim report early in the New Year.

Mr. Chapman

I am grateful to my right hon. and learned Friend for that information, which I shall study with interest. Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that there is increasing concern among many applicants that some local planning authorities are not bothering to give a decision within the statutory two-months' period, knowing that the applicant will not be likely to go to appeal because he would have to wait a year for a decision? Will the Department of the Environment at least issue a circular reminding local planning authorities that they should give decisions within the two-months' period?

Mr. Rippon

I shall bear in mind my hon. Friend's suggestions. I am aware of the difficulties to which he has referred. Often, it is the applicants themselves who wish to continue to negotiate.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman agree that the position is made much worse by a serious shortage of qualified planning staff, particularly among some of the smaller authorities? What action is he taking to help overcome this?

Mr. Rippon

Training courses are being provided. This is a very serious problem, with the number of planning applications received by local planning authorities running at the rate of about 600,000 a year.

Rear-Admiral Morgan-Giles

Does my right hon. and learned Friend appreciate that if he could persuade or encourage local planning authorities to grant planning permission in a more lavish and generous way, especially in rural constituencies, he would achieve the twin objects of reducing the "constipation" of appeals and improving the availability of housing and housing land?

Mr. Rippon

I have issued a circular about releasing land for housing. It is important that local planning authorities should not refuse permission merely so that there should be an appeal, and so that the Minister has to decide the matter. I am sending out a further circular which will give guidance to local planning authorities and potential applicants on how to process an application and how to avoid confrontation wherever possible.