§ Sir R. Glynasked the Minister of Town and Country Planning what action his regulations prescribe for a village community wishing to present the case for the survival of their village against the decision of regional planning authorities to eliminate their homes and amenities by refusing to sanction plans for modern water and drainage schemes.
§ Mr. SilkinSection 10 (1) of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947, requires the local planning authority before preparing a development plan affecting the land in a county district, to consult with the council of the district in question and before submitting the plan to the Minister to give to that council an opportunity to make representations. It is to be expected that in this way full account will be taken of the views of villages affected by the plan of whose attitude the county district will be aware. If a development plan when submitted provides nonetheless that there should he no further development in a particular village it will be open to the village to present their case at the public inquiry or hearing which will be held to consider objections to the plan in accordance with 165W the Town and Country Planning (Development Plans) Regulations, 1948.
I assume that the hon. Member has Particularly in mind the village of Letcombe Bassett. I understand that the rural district council have already decided to consider further the provision of main drainage and houses in this village and the question of presenting the case for the provision of such facilities does not therefore now arise.