§ 82. Mr. SimsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance is given to planning inspectors as to the weight they should give to local opinion in reaching their decisions.
§ Mr. ChopeMy right hon. Friend and his planning inspectors are subject to the requirement in section 29 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971 that those who decide planning applications must have regard to the provisions of the development plan, so far as is material to the application, and to any other material considerations. Accordingly, inspectors give weight to local opinion in so far as it relates to material land-use planning considerations.