HC Deb 08 June 1995 vol 261 cc293-4W
Mr. Robert Ainsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 14 March,Official Report, column 534–5, if he is now in a position to ensure that the block of Georgian buildings at 20A–32 Baker street can be saved from demolition; and if he will enforce the decision made by his predecessor in 1981 to preserve the buildings. [26736]

Sir Paul Beresford

In the event of a breach of planning or listed building control responsibility for day-to-day enforcement rests with the local planning authority.

Mr. Robert Ainsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer on 14 March,Official Report, column 534, if he has now completed his consideration of the issues raised by the chief executive of Westminster city council regarding the development of properties in Westminster; and if he will make a statement on his conclusions. [27094]

Sir Paul Beresford

No.

Mr. Robert Ainsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to obtain a copy of the legal opinion of Michael Barnes QC, regarding the conduct of Councillor Andrew Greystoke and Councillor David Weeks of Westminster city council, in relation to planning applications for the buildings at 20A–32 Baker street, London; and what account he intends to take of the legal opinion in making a decision on whether he should call in the planning permission concerned. [27019]

Sir Paul Beresford

I am in receipt of a copy of the legal opinion of Michael Barnes QC. All relevant information will be taken into account in deciding whether the planning applications should be called in for the Secretary of State's determination.

Mr. Robert Ainsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 15 March,Official Report, column 595, what assessment he has made of any material considerations which indicated that the planning permission sought for the block bounded by Baker street, Blandford street and Manchester street in Westminster should be granted contrary to the major policies contained in the local authorities' statutory plans. [27082]

Sir Paul Beresford

The Department was notified of the information on the outstanding applications and is currently considering all the relevant information.

Mr. Robert Ainsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what account he will take of(a) the views of Westminster council officers, (b) the advice of English Heritage and (c) the previous appeal decision by his predecessor in his decision on whether to call in the planning application at 20A–32 Baker street, Westminster. [27023]

Sir Paul Beresford

I refer the hon. Gentleman to my previous reply.

Mr. Robert Ainsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to investigate the conduct of Councillor Andrew Greystoke and Councillor David Weeks with regard to planning decisions made by Westminster city council in 1990; and if he will make a statement. [27020]

Sir Paul Beresford

The Secretary of State has no such plans.

Mr. Robert Ainsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 14 March,Official Report, column 534, what plans he has to investigate the events surrounding the redevelopment of the block bounded by Baker street, Blandford street, George street and Manchester street in Westminster in the light of more recent information he may have received. [27093]

Sir Paul Beresford

None at present. I refer the hon. Gentleman to my earlier reply.