§ 7. Mr. Hannamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied that adequate protection exists for individuals affected by "deemed" planning permissions given to local authorities by those same councils.
§ Mr. HannamIs the Minister aware that the present procedures seem to allow district councils to grant themselves planning permissions, whereas if an application is a private one it may result in an appeal being made to the Secretary of State? Is he aware that in my constituency some 20,000 people and most local organisations have found themselves deprived of the right to express their feelings because of the present policy not to allow district councils to be challenged on granting themselves planning permission?
§ Mr. OakesI am aware of the petition which has been presented, but local planning authorities have powers to make plans and carry out developments in their areas. In this we are following the policy set by our Conservative predecessors in 1973.