§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether Her Majesty's Government have any plans to propose legislation relating to regulation of the conduct of car boot sales; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. BaldrySeveral existing statutory controls are relevant to the regulation of car boot sales. Thus, although the Town and Country Planning General Development Order 1988—the GDO—gives a general grant of planning permission for the temporary use of land for markets, including car boot sales, for up to 14 days in total in any calendar year, use for more than 14 days requires specific planning permission. A local planning authority may make a direction under article 4 of the GDO which withdraws this general permission and so requires a specific planning application.
The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 enables local authorities to require the market operator and the site occupier to give them not less than one month's notice of a forthcoming market. The notice gives the authority time to make any necessary provision to avoid disturbance.
The Environmental Protection Act 1990 requires local authorities to ensure that their land is kept clear of litter and refuse. Since 1 July 1991 authorities have been able to extend this duty to the owners of land used for markets, if there is a problem of persistent littering, by designating the land concerned a litter control area.
I do not consider that further legislation is needed.