HC Deb 01 February 1980 vol 977 c805W
Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he has any plans to introduce legislation which would alter the present position of proposals to make test bores for nuclear waste, for research and for uranium mining so that such proposals would become permitted development in terms of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971 without need for approval by planning authorities or planning inquiries.

Mr. Nicholas Edwards

The committee on planning control over mineral working—the Stevens committee—recommended that investigatory operations for minerals should become permitted development subject to the right of the planning authority to require an application to be submitted. The Government are considering this recommendation in the context of a revision of the Town and Country Planning General Development Order 1977. It is not proposed to alter the planning position of proposals to investigate the suitability of sites for the deposit of radioactive waste.

(per cent.)
January of each year Knowsley Lancashire England
1974 5 10 9
1975 5 11 10
1976 7 11 12
1977 10 12 15
1978 15 13 17
1979 16 13 18