§ Baroness Masham of Iltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, when office developments in or near residential areas are planned, there is any means of ensuring that shops are included.
The Minister of State, Department of the Environment (The Earl of Caithness)There is a presumption in favour of granting planning permission unless there are well-founded and relevant land-use planning reasons for refusal. Absence of shopping provision in a development proposal might on occasion be a reason for refusal. If the lack of a particular feature is unacceptable in planning terms, the best course will often be for the local planning authority to discuss the matter with the applicant with a view to his submitting a modified application. It is open to the public to make representations about development proposals.