§ Mr. PicklesTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to implement the proposals on planning tariffs set out in the Planning Green Paper; and if he will make a statement. [67443]
§ Mr. McNultyThe Government's consultation paper "Reforming Planning Obligations: delivering a fundamental change", published in December 2001, proposed the introduction of a tariff-based approach to planning obligations. We received over 500 responses, the majority of which welcomed our proposals. Ministers are considering policy options and there will be a policy statement in due course.
§ Mr. WigginTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent representations he has received from groups interested in housing development and conservation; what the conclusions from those meetings were; and if he will make a statement. [68540]
§ Mr. McNultyThe Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has received representations from a number of local and national groups interested in housing development and conservation. These groups include the RSPB, CPRE, FoE, WWF and Green Alliance. The representations have principally concerned our proposals to reform the planning system but have underlined the importance of planning to meet housing needs in the most sustainable way practicable. This is entirely consistent with our planning policies for housing.