HC Deb 23 July 1986 vol 102 cc337-8
13. Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will describe the administrative process by which he negotiates with county councils on their structure plans.

Mr. Ridley

County councils must submit to me for my approval their proposals for alteration or replacement of their structure plans. Normally an examination in public is held, at which the council can explain its proposals. I may then publish draft modifications for comment before the plan is approved.

Mr. Adley

I thank my right hon. Friend for that answer and, indeed, for answering the question itself. Will he confirm that the initiation of structure plans and, indeed, the initiation of the revision of structure plans, is primarily the responsibility of the county council, and not his Department? Will my right hon. Friend further confirm that his Department responds after the county council has produced its proposals, and does not pressurise county councils before they produce their proposals? Finally, will he confirm that Dorset county council's revised structure plan for south-east Dorset is entirely its own responsibility?

Mr. Ridley

I can confirm that all that my hon. Friend has said is correct.

Mr. Nicholas Baker

Will my right hon. Friend confirm that he will not seek to impose higher levels of development upon county councils presenting such structure plans? Does he recognise that in counties such as Dorset, whose present structure plans, development, and population levels have already been substantially exceeded, any suggestion that new structure plan proposals, levels of development or population should be exceeded would be greeted with great dismay and would be contrary to the wishes of the residents of such places?

Mr. Ridley

My hon. Friend will not expect me to comment on any specific county plan or on any planning application. The description of the system which I outlined to my hon. Friend the Member for Christchurch (Mr. Adley) is accurate and the policy on the green belt is well known. It is difficult to discuss any general concept of planning without reference to the particular. However, I note what my hon. Friend has said.

Mr. John Browne

Does my right hon. Friend accept that there is deep concern among the people of Hampshire, including Winchester, and possibly a certain Mrs. Hargreaves, about the fact that his Department has decided to impose an increase of 65,000 additional houses on the south Hampshire structure plan, which is greatly in excess of the infrastructure available and which is drawing much-needed resources from city centres in the south and north of England? Will he please assure the House and the people of Hampshire that he will look into this matter and ensure that the locally and democratically expressed views of the people of Hampshire about housing are adhered to?

Mr. Ridley

I note what my hon. Friend has said. However, it appears that Mrs. Hargreaves comes from the north, and I am sure that my hon. Friend would not be grudging about affording her a house if she were to arrive in his constituency.