§ Mr. Allan RobertsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the criteria which apply in considering whether a planning application affecting a site of special scientific interest should be referred to him.
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§ Mr. ChopeEvery request to call in a planning application is considered on the individual merits of the case. In general, applications are called in only if planning issues of more than local importance are involved. Such cases may include, for example, those which in our opinion could have wide effects beyond their immediate locality, which give rise to substantial regional or national controversy, which may conflict with national policy on important matters, and those where the interests of national security or of foreign Governments may he involved. In considering whether to call in an application affecting a site of special scientific interest the scale of the proposed development and the extent of its effect on the site would be relevant considerations to be taken into account.
§ Mr. Allan RobertsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list, in respect of each of the last three years, those cases where the Nature Conservancy Council has asked him to call in a planning application and indicate(a) those cases which were referred back to the planning authority to determine and (b) those cases which were determined in favour of the application.
§ Mr. ChopeThe information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.