§ 1. Mr. Sternasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any plans to seek to extend his powers to control or influence major developments of public or private buildings under existing flightpaths.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Mr. Michael Spicer)No, Sir. The consideration of planning applications is a matter for local planning authorities, although with certain proposals for developments near to an airport or affecting aircraft using it planning authorities are bound to consult the airport authority and either the Civil Aviation Authority or the Ministry of Defence.
§ Mr. SternI thank my hon. Friend for that answer. Is he aware that whereas, in general, the planning authority has powers to prohibit the extension of a flight path over existing development, his powers to comment on a development or concentration of people under a flight path are rather more limited, and that that causes considerable anxiety, especially in my constituency, where the Filton airfield provides more than 10,000 jobs? In view of proposed developments in that and many other areas, will he seek to extend his powers?
§ Mr. SpicerI understand my hon. Friend's anxiety over this and a number of related issues. Planning authorities must consult the CAA about safety considerations before they make their decisions. In the context that my hon. Friend mentioned, the Secretary of State for the Environment advises about noise considerations, and he has discretion to call in the applications.