HC Deb 27 July 2000 vol 354 cc768-9W
Mr. Evans

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what weighting PPG3: Housing is to carry in relation to local authorities' development plans in determining planning applications as set out in section 54A of the Town and Country Planning Acts. [132919]

Ms Beverley Hughes

Planning Policy Guidance note 1 advises local planning authorities thatif there are no other material considerations, the application or appeal should be determined in accordance with the development plan but emphasises that plan policies should be relevant and up-to date (para 54).

PPG3 advises that development plans form the framework within which decisions on proposals for development are taken. It is important that plans are kept up to date and properly reflect national policy guidance.

PPG3 further advises that in considering planning applications for housing development in the interim, before development plans can be reviewed, local authorities should have regard to the policies contained in this PPG as material considerations which may supersede the policies in their plan (see paras 37–39).

Angela Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the performance of the Government Offices for the Regions in 1999–2000 in meeting targets for issuing decisions on called-in planning applications and on recovered appeals following receipt of the Inspector's report; and if he will make a statement. [133689]

Mr. Raynsford

The information is as follows:

i. Called-in applications Target: issue 80 per cent. of decisions in 13 weeks and 100 per cent. in 20 weeks Performance 62 per cent. issued in 13 weeks and 72 per cent. in 20 weeks

ii. Recovered appeals Target: issue 80 per cent. of decisions in 8 weeks and 100 per cent. in 13 weeks Performance 48 per cent. issued in 8 weeks and 57 per cent. in 13 weeks.

The number of call-in and recovery cases—typically, about 150 of each a year—represents a very small proportion of the number of planning applications and appeals dealt with every year. They also tend to be rather more complicated than the generality of planning decisions. Nevertheless, it is clear that, overall, the decision-making process for called-in applications and recovered appeals needs to be expedited. The Department has been reviewing the procedures with a view to improving performance.