§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will request the SRB partnership for the Graingertown area of Newcastle upon Tyne city centre to report to him on the effect of the proposed Northern Development Area on office redevelopment prospects. [24658]
§ Mr. RaynsfordIt would not be appropriate for the Secretary of State to do so in view of his quasi-judicial role in the planning system. However, there are well-established procedures in place which allow individuals and organisations to make full representations on development proposals at all stages of the planning process. I understand that the issues of the effect of the proposed Northern Development Area on development elsewhere in the local authority area have already been examined in public before an independent planning inspector in the context of Newcastle upon Tyne Unitary Development Plan Public Inquiry.