HC Deb 21 January 1974 vol 867 c1178
4. Mr. Hooson

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will call in for public inquiry the decision of the Montgomeryshire Planning Authority to allow quarrying to proceed under certain conditions on Middletown Hill.

Mr. Peter Thomas

No, Sir. Applications can be called in only where they have not already been decided.

Mr. Hooson

Surely a remedy must be available when a decision has been made which has greatly disturbed the inhabitants of this village, who live only 200 yards away from and below the site of the quarry. Is there not a means whereby the Minister can influence this decision or at least call it in for some kind of public inquiry?

Mr. Thomas

I cannot call it in once the determination has been made. There are certain remedies, but they are extreme ones and it would be an extreme matter for me to override a local planning authority's judgment on a purely local matter. Having considered this matter, I have reached the conclusion that it does not have wider implications than those of local significance. For that reason I cannot intervene.