HC Deb 17 December 1980 vol 996 cc276-7
6. Mr. David Hunt

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to redraft the development control policy notes issued by his Department.

15. Mr. Anthony Grant

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to redraft the development control policy notes of his Department.

Mr. King

A number of the development control policy notes have been overtaken by our development control circular 22/80. I have therefore started a review of the existing series. The local authority associations and developers are being consulted on their usefulness and the format of any replacement.

Mr. Hunt

Is my right hon. Friend aware that several local authorities, including Wirral, are concerned at the new rules on enforcement procedures, especially the burden placed on the local authority first to find an alternative site for the illegal business if possible? Is he further aware that there are worries that this will lead to a serious increase in the administrative burden on local authorities? Will he please look at this again?

Mr. King

My hon. Friend may be referring to the draft circular. We modified the enforcement requirements before issuing the circular. The general welcome that the circular has received reflects the better balance. I think that the House will recognise that when there is such concern about employment we must consider the problems of small businesses and give them all the help that we can.

Mr. Grant

I welcome the relaxations already made by the Government in planning restrictions. However, does my right hon. Friend agree that change of user permission should more readily be given by planning authorities, especially to small firms that need to develop and grow? Will he consider that need if and when redrafting takes place?

Mr. King

We are giving that matter consideration. As my hon. Friend will know, we hope shortly to bring forward further amendments to the general development order, which will exempt certain minor developments from planning controls in an effort further to help all areas in the move to assist small businesses.

Mr. Steen

Will my right hon. Friend consider extending the freedom from planning considerations applying in the enterprise zones to the whole of the urban areas surrounding them? Such an extension would allow private enterprise to do the very things that the Government are asking it to do.

Mr. King

We have made clear that our proposals for the enterprise zones are for a limited number of experimental projects to ascertain whether it is an effective approach. We shall look for a constructive and positive approach from planning authorities throughout the country. I hope that that will go some way to meeting the point that my hon. Friend fairly raises.

Mr. Cryer

Will the right hon. Gentleman assure the house that planning relaxation will not reach the stage when the means by which people are protected from abuse—for example, the setting up of a tannery next door to them—are withered away? Planning control is designed to help the community as well as providing a means of control of small businesses.

Mr. King

I am not sure whether the hon. Gentleman has had a chance to read our planning circular. It starts with a clear reaffirmation of the importance of planning and the value that it has for society. We are concerned that planning should be respected but that it should not be over-bureaucratic and restrictive in unnecessary aspects. Protection must remain for the community from obnoxious developments.