§ Mr. E. Rowlandsasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether the principle of public participation laid down in the new Town and Country Planning Act, 1968, is required by him of local authorities whose current redevelopment schemes are submitted for Government approval under procedures under the Planning Act, 1962; and whether he will exercise his powers to reject such plans on the grounds that the public have not been adequately involved in their preparation.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonI hope that local planning authorities will act in the spirit of the new legislation when preparing development plan submissions under the 1962 Act. But they are under no statutory obligation to do so, and my right hon. Friend has no power to reject proposals solely on the ground that a non-statutory requirement has not been fulfilled.