§ Mr. Ripponasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what statistics he has indicating the degree of delegation of planning applications to (i) offices and (ii) sub-committees to planning authorities.
§ Mr. John SilkinNone, since local planning authorities are not required to tell my right hon. Friend about their delegation arrangements.
§ Mr. Ripponasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of local authorities comply with the time limit for processing planning applications; and whether there has been any improvement since the publication of the Dobry Report.
§ Mr. John SilkinThe information is not yet available, but a new general development control statistical return will show how many applications are decided within the statutory time limit.
§ Mr. Ripponasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the present cost of processing each planning application compared with 1973–74.
§ Mr. John SilkinWithin a wide margin of error it was estimated in 1975 that the cost per application was approximately £90. The Dobry Report estimated £65-£100 for 1973–74.
§ Mr. Ripponasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he 542W will introduce procedures for amending planning applications.
§ Mr. John SilkinLocal planning authorities are already able to allow minor amendments to planning applications as we have recently reminded them in Ciruclar 9/76. A system which allowed for more substantial amendments and at the same time ensured full public awareness would have no advantage over reapplication.
§ Mr. Ripponasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will introduce charges for some planning applications.
§ Mr. John SilkinNo.
§ Mr. Ripponasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will introduce standard publicity for planning applications.
§ Mr. John SilkinThe existing statutory publicity already follows a standard form.