HC Deb 12 January 1998 vol 304 cc2-3W
Mr. Peter Bottomley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many representations he has received(a) in favour of and (b) against his decision to reject the independent inspector's conclusion concerning the limits to housing development in West Sussex. [22579]

Mr. Raynsford

The hon. Member for Chichester (Mr. Tyrie) has written to express his concern about the effect of the Direction. I am not aware that any other representations have been received either for or against my right hon. Friend's decision.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions in how many cases of inspectors reporting on the limits to housing development he has(a) upheld the conclusion, (b) reduced the limits and (c) increased the limits. [22578]

Mr. Raynsford

Land is allocated for housing development through the development plan system. Both the panel, which reports following an Examination in Public into Structure Plans, and the Inspector, who reports following a Public Local Inquiry into a Unitary Development or Local Plan, report directly to the local authority concerned.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will meet local authority and parliamentary representatives of West Sussex to discuss his declaration that the method or conclusion of the independent inspector into the limits to housing developments in the county was flawed. [22576]

Mr. Raynsford

My right hon. Friend is considering the hon. Member's request and I will advise the hon. Member of his decision in due course.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much time he spent considering the inspector's report into the limits to housing development in West Sussex. [22577]

Mr. Raynsford

The report was published on 25 June 1997 and has also been thoroughly considered within the Department.