HL Deb 26 May 1988 vol 497 cc1093-4WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are monitoring the effects of the Department of the Environment's Statutory Instrument No. 764 of 1st June 1987, and particularly the effect on the numbers of workshops which may, in the merging of previous use-classes II ("various office uses") and III ("Light industry") into the new class B1 ("business"), be lost to office use in the areas covered by (a) the old GLC,(b) Westminster City Council, and (c) the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and whether they will publish the figures as soon as any are available.

The Earl of Caithness

Following a report from the Property Advisory Group and extensive consultation on draft proposals, the 1987 Use Classes Order was introduced to modernise the planning provisions affecting changes of use. The primary considerations in drawing up the order were the effects of different land uses on amenity and the environment. We should be happy to receive relevant information from local authorities and others on the effects of the order. It is for local authorities to draw up and, if they wish, to publish information about detailed planning matters in their areas.