§ 10. Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consideration he gives to the wishes of the local community when considering appeals against planning 12 refusals by local planning authorities in Wales; and how many planning appeals he has upheld against authorities' decisions during the past 12 months.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerAll representations made to the Department about the planning merits of an appeal are taken into account in arriving at my decisions. Out of 1,060 appeals decided during the past 12 months, 343 were allowed.
§ Mr. WigleyDoes the Secretary of State accept that when large-scale tourist projects are considered by local authorities they should be given the go-ahead only if the local community wants the project in that form, and that if there is a threat to the environment, the social fabric or the culture of the area, the project should not go ahead? Given the threat posed by some such projects, and the fact that when tourist projects occur it is important that they have the backing of the local community—which, after all, is supposed to welcome the people who come to its area—should not the final decision rest with the local authorities and not with the Welsh Office?
§ Mr. WalkerThe hon. Gentleman is really saying that there should be no rights of appeal on certain projects, but that would be a dangerous position to adopt. Many planning applications are made in Wales and in the rest of the country to which people in the immediate locality object, but to which a wider range of people do not object because of the job opportunities and the new activities created—indeed, they probably support such projects. So far, under all Governments, there has been a right of appeal, and that is perfectly correct. The figures that I have given show that out of 1,060 appeals, 343 were allowed, so the large bulk were rejected. To take away the right of appeal because a local authority has made a decision would be a mistake.