§ 74. Mr. Finlayasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware that the Essex County Council, having withdrawn the decision from the Epping Rural District Council which exercised delegated planning functions, have now granted planning permission for the erection of 270 houses on 26¼ acres of land at Theydon Bois, adjoining Epping Forest in the Green Belt, contrary to their own 112W Essex County Development Plan for which they are now seeking his confirmation; and what steps he will take to protect London's Green Belt from this substantial erosion.
§ Mr. MarplesMy right hon. Friend understands that the county council take the view that the use of this site, which is surrounded on three sides by houses, amounts to no more than a rounding off of existing development; and he does not think that he should intervene. The Essex Development Plan has not yet been submitted to him.