§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on which dates the toxic waste incinerator proposed for Howdon-on-Tyne, and the clinical waste incinerator for Felling-on-Tyne, were called in by him; on what dates the inquiries were held; and what factors determine the length of time before his decision is announced.
Mr. McleanNeither of these proposals was called in by the Secretary of State. Both are the subject of planning appeals which were recovered for determination by the Secretary of State. The Howdon appeal was lodged on 28 December 1989 and was recovered on 18 May 1990. The other appeal, at Follingsby was lodged on 15 February 1991 and was recovered on 14 March 1991. The inquiry into the Howdon appeal was one of three linked inquiries held between 11 September 1990 and 1 March 1991. The site-specific inquiry into the Howdon proposals was held between 8 and 31 January 1991. The inquiry into the Follingsby appeal was held between 9 April and 3 May 1991.
The target handling times for appeal cases where the Secretary of State takes the decision are published in planning policy guidance note 1. The aim is to decide 80 per cent. of cases within eight weeks of receiving the inspector's report, although as each case must be considered on its own merits, more complex cases may take longer than eight weeks. The inspectors' report on the linked inquiries which included the Howdon appeal was received on 10 December 1991. It raises many complex issues all of which need to be carefully considered before a decision can be issued. Good progress is being made and the decision will be issued as soon as it is practicable to do so.
The inspectors' report on the Follingsby appeal has not yet been received. It is expected to be received shortly.