§ Mr. GillTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will provide guidance to local planning authorities on the relationship between planning and pollution controls.
§ Mr. CurryI have today published planning policy guidance note 23 "Planning and Pollution Control", which clarifies the roles of the planning and pollution control systems. This stresses the need to avoid duplication of controls while improving dialogue between the different regulatory bodies. It provides guidance on the relevant issues planning authorities should consider in drawing up their development plans and in determining planning applications for certain industrial development proposals.
It builds on the long-established policy that planning should not duplicate other legislative controls. We have significantly strengthened our pollution control systems in recent years. Planning authorities should therefore focus on the wider land-use implications of proposed development leaving the control of emissions to pollution control authorities.