§ Mrs. GormanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the outcome of the consultation exercise about planning agreements, announced on 11 July 1989,Official Report, column 485; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerThe consultation paper provoked 229 responses. My right hon. Friends the Secretary of State and the Secretary of State for Wales have decided that the three proposed amendments to section 52 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971 should proceed as soon as there is a legislative opportunity. These are:
- (a) to enable a developer to give a unilateral undertaking to carry out certain works, or to do whatever the undertaking specified;
- (b) to make provision for a planning agreement or unilateral undertaking to be discharged when its planning purpose has ended; and
- (c) to enable the Crown to enter into section 52 agreements.
It is also intended to make certain technical changes to section 52, designed to improve and clarify the drafting.
The new policy guidance on which we consulted will be issued in due course, taking account of some of the points made by respondents to the consultation paper.