§ 4. Mr. SedgemoreTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to call in the application for the Covent Garden opera house extension.
§ Mr. SedgemoreIn the light of the current farcical circumstances in which an internationally renowned institution is being squeezed between a car park and art office development, and bearing in mind that the royal opera house has no intention of proceeding with its existing application and has budgeted for a planning inquiry in its second application, is it not time that the Minister called the application in? Is it not time that the Minister put an end to the deception and deceit of the operatic manipulators and ensured that the development which finally takes place will be in the interests of the opera house and the surrounding area?
§ Mr. ChopeThe hon. Gentleman has made some rather hysterical comments about a matter which is well within the competence of the local authority.
§ Mr. Allan RobertsVery quickly, does the Minister agree that the royal opera house—[Interruption.] I am being as quick as I can. The royal opera house now admits that the extension scheme does not provide for the type of improvements that are needed—in fact, there will be only 17 extra seats, but 300 extra parking spaces. In the light of those facts, given that this is a sensitive conservation area of national significance, will the Minister agree to call the application in?
§ Mr. ChopeThe local council is well aware of the possible changes. That is why it has not granted planning permission and is having further discussions with the royal opera house. That seems perfectly reasonable.