§ Tony BaldryTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions in the last three years, how many developments have been referred for his determination, pursuant to the arrangements set out in Part IV of the memorandum attached to DOE circular 18/84; and in respect of these referrals, how many he has decided(a), pursuant to written representations and (b) following a non-statutory public inquiry. [48938]
733W
§ Ms KeebleThe Department does not maintain a central record of these cases and the information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
§ Tony BaldryTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how often in the last three years, and for what purpose, his Department has applied the special urgency provisions in paragraph 22 of Circular 18/84 (Development by Government Departments). [48947]
§ Ms KeebleI refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Mid-Worcestershire (Mr. Luff) on Friday 1 March 2002,Official Report, columns 1590–591W.
§ Tony BaldryTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what matters he takes into consideration when deciding whether to rely on written representations or to institute a non-statutory public inquiry when determining a referral to his Department, pursuant to the arrangements set out in Part IV of the memorandum attached to DOE circular 18/84; [48937]
(2) when instituting a non-statutory public inquiry, pursuant to the arrangements set out in Part IV of the memorandum attached to DOE circular 18/84, what format he would expect such an inquiry to take; and if he would expect providers of local services and members of the local community to be able to give evidence. [48936]
§ Ms KeebleDOE circular 18/84 makes it clear that the method of written representations will be suitable for most cases. But where there is evidence of interest by other parties the dispute may be resolved by either a meeting of the representatives of the local planning authority and the developing Department or through a non-statutory public local inquiry. Planning inquiries for cases decided by the Secretary of State follow the Town and Country Planning (Inquiries Procedure) (England) Rules 2000. But an inquiry held under the arrangements set out in DOE circular 18/84 is non-statutory and so it is not bound by these rules. However, it is expected that any such inquiry would follow the spirit of these rules so far as practicable and that interested parties would be given an opportunity to express their views.
§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what rules govern meetings between Ministers and hon. Members on planning issues awaiting decision. [48784]
§ Ms KeebleSuch meetings are covered by Guidance On Propriety Issues In The Handling Of Planning Casework In DTLR. A copy of the guidance is available on the Department's website [www.planning.dtlr.gov.uk/gpihpc].
§ Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the reasons underlying proposals to reform the planning system. [49489]
§ Ms KeebleThe reasons underlying the proposals for reform of the planning system are set out in chapter two of the Planning Green Paper: 'Planning: Delivering a fundamental change'. A separate consultation document concerning the planning system in Wales has been issued by the National Assembly.