§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has yet received the information he requires in respect of the proposed urban development agency organised by the private sector and Birmingham city council; and when he expects to make a decision.
§ Mr. RidleyI discussed the council's urban development agency proposals when I met Councillor Knowles and others on 8 December. The council said that it would put further proposals to me in January.
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment why he has included the proposed inner city shopping complex at Perry Barr, Birmingham on the list of those he requires planning authorities to send to his Department.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThis scheme is one of several major retail proposals before planning authorities in the west midlands conurbation and totalling over 4 million sq ft in area. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment decided that nine of these schemes — 681W including the one in Perry Barr, should not be considered in isolation from each other and issued a direction that the authorities responsible should not give planning consent without his special authorisation. Birmingham metropolitan borough council has applied for my right hon. Friend's authorisation and the hon. Member will be informed of his eventual decision.