HC Deb 28 February 1996 vol 272 c612W
Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each year since 1979 the number of times he has exercised his planning call-in powers; and on how many occasions he has overturned the inspector's decision. [17067]

Sir Paul Beresford

The number of planning applications in England called in since the financial year 1986–87 is as follows:

Year Number
1986–87 152
1987–88 113
1988–89 117
1989–90 103
1990–91 132
1991–92 140
1992–93 101
1993–94 99
1994–95 1167
1 30 of these cases relate to a single site in Devonport and a further 15 arose in Cornwall. Where the local authorities went against national planning guidance.

Since 1 April 1994, the Secretary of State has determined called-in applications against the inspector's recommendation on 11 occasions.

Information for earlier years could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.