§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are his responsibilities over planning development in tidal estuaries in England and in seaward areas within territorial limits.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneFunctions under the Town and Country Planning Acts (such as development control and the making of development plans), are exercisable in relation to land which is within the area of a local planning authority. The seaward boundaries of local authority areas are defined by the Local Government Act 1972: on the sea shore, they extend to low water mark, but include both natural and artificial accretions from the sea. In the case of tidal estuaries, the areas of the riparian authorities extend to the point where the river meets the sea: this is a question of fact in every case. In general any proposal for development on land which is within the area of a local planning authority, including land covered by water, is subject to planning control under the Town and Country Planning Acts and the jurisdiction of the Secretary of State in relation to the determination of appeals, and other planning matters covers the same geographical areas as those of the local planning authorities.