§ Mr. Rowlandsasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what criteria are used in assessing the need 129W and requirements in deciding applications for petrol filling stations; and whether he will issue a circular, replacing that of 1958, to establish new criteria which will ensure that planning permission is not granted for petrol filling stations which are not required.
§ Mr. MacCollApplications for permission to erect petrol filling stations must be decided on planning considerations. These include the provisions of the development plan for the area; the effect of the proposal on the safety of people using nearby roads; the size and layout of the site; the design and external appearance of any buildings; and the effect of the development on the amenity of the area. A decision based entirely on the question of need for the station would go beyond the proper scope of planning and on this point my right hon. Friend does not propose to alter the advice which was given in Circular No. 25/58.