§ 8. Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects the public inquiry with regard to the proposed Tillingham Hall development to commence; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TraceyThe public inquiry is due to start on 18 March. As the case is currently before the Secretary of State, it would not be appropriate for me to make a statement at present.
§ Mr. ProctorIn view of the widespread interest in the proposed Tillingham Hall development in the green belt at Maldon in my constituency, and the widespread opposition to it throughout the constituency, will my hon. Friend give an assurance that the delay between the end of the public inquiry and the ministerial decision on the appeal will be kept to a minimum?
§ Mr. TraceyYes, Sir.
§ Dr. CunninghamIs the Minister aware that the Government appear to be creating the impression that they do not care about the maintenance of the green belt? Do the Government support developers' proposals for a ring of private enterprise new towns around London in the green belt? Does not the Government's White Paper, published last year, reinforce the view that they want to see an erosion of the green belt by proposing that simplified planning zone powers should be given to private developers? May I make it clear to the Minister, the Department and the House that the Labour party is totally opposed to the creeping erosion of green belt policy?
§ Mr. TraceyThis is the first time that we have heard from the hon. Gentleman this afternoon, but I was not aware that he had been asleep for the last few months. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State made it clear in a speech to the House-Builders Federation that the Government are firmly committed to the green belt and the conservation of the countryside. In an Adjournment debate in the House on 19 December I also made it clear that the Government are committed to that policy. I cannot pass judgment on individual applications until there is an application or an appeal.