§ Mr. Toucheasked the Minister of Town and Country Planning, when the Dorking and Horley Rural District Council is likely to receive a reply to their application, dated 13th August, for the acquisition of two sites for permanent building, one in Ifield Road, Horley, and the other on the Horley Garden Estate; and if he will state the reason for the delay in dealing with this application.
§ Mr. SilkinAs my hon. Friend is doubtless aware, my Department acts as agent for certain other Ministries in approving proposals by a local authority to develop land for housing purposes. Following the usual consultations, my Department informed the Council on 24th October that there were no objections to the site at Ifield Road, Charlwood (not Horley), but that building on the Horley Garden Estate could not be agreed as it would seriously interfere with the development of Gatwick Airfield. The reply had to await the results of a detailed investigation into the possible future use of the airfield for flying.
§ Mr. Toucheasked the Minister of Town and Country Planning when the Dorking and Horley Rural District Council is likely to receive replies to their application, dated 16th September, for the acquisition of a building site at Betchworth and to their application dated 25th September, for the acquisition of a building site at the rear of the Dutch House, Holm-wood; and if he will state the reason for the delay in dealing with these applications.
§ Mr. SilkinNo application of 16th September regarding a proposed housing site at Betchworth has been received by my Department, and I understand that no 387W such application has in fact been made. With regard to the site at the rear of the Dutch House, Holmwood, there has, I regret, been some delay in my Department owing to illness in the small staff available for dealing with such cases. Questions regarding access and agriculture are now under consideration, and I hope that a decision will be reached at a very early date.