§ Mr. Gareth WardellTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action he intends to take to ensure that local plans are prepared for(a) Alyn and Deeside district council, (b) Carmarthen district council, (c) Ceredigion district council, (d) Glyndwr district council, (e) Montgomeryshire district council, (f) Neath borough council, (g) Preach district council and (h) South Pembrokeshire district council.
§ Mr. Nicholas BennettThe preparation and adoption of local plans by planning authorities is not a statutory requirement. It is for each authority to decide which parts of their area should be covered by local plans. Planning policy guidance (PPG) note 12 of November 1988 and PPG15 (Wales) of October 1990 urged district planning authorities to extend and complete their local plan coverage. The Planning and Compensation Bill, which is currently before Parliament, includes a provision which will place a mandatory duty on each district council and each national park authority to prepare and adopt a single local plan covering the whole of its area.