HC Deb 01 February 2000 vol 343 c523W
Angela Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his policy on the circumstances in which planning inquiries may be held on proposals to build waste incinerators, and the rights of objectors to such proposals to have a public inquiry. [108320]

Mr. Raynsford

The building of a waste incinerator requires planning permission, for which an application must be made to the local planning authority. Where a local planning authority refuses an application for planning permission, grants it subject to conditions or fails to determine it within eight weeks, the person applying for permission may appeal. The appeal may be dealt with by public inquiry or hearing, although most are dealt with by written representations. An inquiry is likely to be held in the very small proportion of cases where my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State considers it necessary to call in a planning application to determine it himself, instead of leaving it to the planning authority.

My right hon. Friend's policy on call-ins was stated in a written answer by my predecessor on 16 June 1999, Official Report, column 138W and this remains the position. He will be very selective about calling in planning applications. He will, in general, only take this step if planning issues of more than local importance are involved. Such cases may include, for example, those which in his opinion:

  • may conflict with national policies;
  • could have significant effects beyond their immediate locality;
  • give rise to substantial regional or national controversy;
  • raise significant architectural and urban design issues; or
  • may involve the interests of national security or of foreign Governments.

However each case will continue to be considered on its individual merits.

Objectors to planning applications, including those for waste incinerators, do not have a right to a planning inquiry into their objections. However, they may put their objections to the local planning authority considering the application to which they are opposed, and the authority must have regard to their objections in reaching its decision. Similarly, where an appeal has been lodged against a refusal to an application, objectors may put their points to the inspector, either in writing or, where an inquiry or hearing is held, in person.