Planning Policy (Hansard, 9 November 1992)

§ Mr. Dafis
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to amend planning policy guidance note 7 produced by his Department so as to make reference to the design and quality expectations of industrial and commercial developments, including the utilisation of locally appropriate building materials, and the encouragement of the re-use of derelict buildings.

§ Mr. Gwilym Jones
No. Appropriate advice is already given in planning policy guidance note 7 and in annex A —design considerations—of planning policy guidance note 1.

§ Mr. Dafis
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will amend planning policy guidance note 7 to draw attention to the Town and Country Planning (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1988.

§ Mr. Gwilym Jones
The 1988 regulations are already referred to in paragraph 2.7 of the revised planning policy guidance note 7 issued in January this year.

§ Mr. Dafis
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will amend planning policy guidance notes to include a clear description of the special nature of rural developments.

§ Mr. Gwilym Jones
No. Planning policy guidance note 7, "The Countryside and Rural Economy", provides582W comprehensive policy guidance on development in the countryside generally, together with advice on the special considerations which apply in designated areas.

§ Mr. Dafis
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will delete the statement in planning policy guidance note 7 that planning authorities should consider the likely effect on the operation of the business when considering enforcement action.

§ Mr. Gwilym Jones
Advice on enforcing planning control is found in planning policy guidance note 18. I see no reason to amend that guidance at present.

§ Mr. Dafis
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will amend planning policy guidance notes to indicate circumstances in which the use of development plan policies can be used to limit change of use rights.

§ Mr. Gwilym Jones
Welsh Office circular 24/87 recognises that it may very exceptionally be appropriate for a local planning authority in determining a particular planning application to impose a condition restricting the use to which the land or buildings may subsequently be put. But development plans should not include policies which would generally restrict the freedoms available under the use classes order and the general development order to make certain changes of use without the need for specific planning permission.