§ 24. Mr. Terry Walkerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is satisfied with the statutory procedures relevant to local authorities in dealing with planning applications in England and Wales.
§ Mr. OakesYes, Sir. It is the way in which the procedures are operated that both central and local government must keep under continuous review.
§ Mr. WalkerMore important than that, may I ask my hon. Friend whether he is aware that the rates of individual householders are not always protected by the decisions of planning authorities? Has he any plans to change the procedures as they affect individual householders?
§ Mr. OakesWe have already recommended to local authorities in Circular 9/76 that they should improve their procedures in a variety of ways. The notifying of neighbours is also recommended to local authorities and is the practice adopted by a great many of them.
Mr. WellsIs the hon. Gentleman aware of the considerable degree of anxiety created when a borough council is the applicant and the planning authority at the same time? Will he tighten up the procedures in such cases, when the public feel that the council is both the applicant and the judge in its own case? Could all of these cases be called in, 01 else could some new and special procedure be introduced?
§ Mr. OakesThere are already provisions to cover the case when the planning authority is the applicant. It would be an enormous and unnecessary burden ii every application submitted by a council had to be called in by the Department.