HC Deb 12 February 1976 vol 905 cc354-5W
Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will identify the regional or strategic plans for areas in England, the date upon which the most recent plans were published, and those at present undergoing revision.

Mr. John Silkin

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 30th January to the hon. Member for Reading, North (Mr. Durant)—[Vol. 904, c. 3687]—to which I would add that the Yorkshire and Humberside Strategy Review has been published this month and the Government Response to the East Anglia Strategy was published on Wednesday 11th February.

Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the statutory provisions which govern the correlation to the various recommendations contained in adjoining structure plans in England.

Mr. John Silkin

1. Section 7(3)(b) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971 requires a structure plan written statement to set out the relationship of its proposals to general proposals for the development and other use of land in neighbouring areas.

2. Regulation 6 of the Town and Country Planning (Structure and Local Plans) Regulations 1974 requires the county planning authority to consult such other authorities as it thinks appropriate and to take their views into consideration when preparing a structure plan; and Schedule 1 Part II of the Regulations requires the structure plan written statement to contain such indications as the county planning authority thinks appropriate of:

  1. (a) regional economic planning and development policies; and
  2. (b) the extent to which a common view has been reached with neighbouring authorities.

3. Section 3 of the Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Act 1972 provides for the Secretary of State to cause an examination in public to be held of matters affecting his consideration of the structure plan before determining whether or not to approve it. Such matters would include any substantial difference of view from that of a neighbouring authority.