§ Mrs. MayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many public inquiries are currently outstanding on applications for the development of motorway service areas; and what is the estimated cost of these inquiries to(a) his Department and (b) local authorities. [21907]
441W
§ Ms Glenda JacksonFour motorway service area planning applications are currently expected to be the subject of public inquiries during 1998. They are as follows: M1 Junction 8/9—Redbourn; M1 Junction 36—Hoyland; M25 Junction 16/17—Warren Farm; and M40 Junction 2—Beaconsfield.
In one further case (M25 Junction 11—Simple Marsh Farm) a public inquiry began in September 1997 but was subsequently adjourned until 1998.
The cost of public inquiries to my Department wil vary widely depending on whether and, if so, to what extent the Highways Agency is required to present evidence on policy or technical issues arising from a particular service area proposal. No central records are kept of the costs of planning inquiries to local planning authorities.