§ Mr Clifton-BrownTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister how the transition will take place, and over what timescale, when county councils lose their strategic planning role under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill. [114014]
§ Mr. McNultyThe proposed abolition of the structure plan function does not mean that counties will no longer have any strategic planning role. The Government expect that the expertise of counties will be an important resource in the preparation and revision of Regional Spatial Strategies and we will make regulations to prescribe counties as statutory consultees in this process. Counties will remain responsible for the preparation of mineral and waste planning strategies. Structure plans will be 'saved' for a three-year period from commencement of the relevant provisions in the Planning and Compulsory Bill unless structure plans are replaced by Regional Spatial Strategies during that period.