§ Mr. C. Hobsonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs (1) if the plans to which the new houses and garage opposite Queen Street, Steeton, Yorkshire, are being built are the ones which were approved by the Skipton Rural District Council and the West Riding County Council;
(2) what was the date on which plans were approved to build opposite Queen Street, Steeton, Yorkshire;
175W(3) if he will institute a public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding planning permission being given to build houses opposite Queen Street, Steeton, Yorks;
(4) by what authority building operations were commenced opposite Queen Street, Steeton, Yorks;
(5) what is the density per acre of houses being built opposite Queen Street, Steeton, Yorks.
§ Mr. BrookeThe Skipton Rural District Council, as agents for the West Riding County Council, granted permission on 11th July, 1958, for housing development on this land, subject to the condition that no development should be commenced "prior to the submission of and approval by the local planning authority of details relating to the siting, design, and external appearance and means of access to proposed buildings". Details of the layout and of individual houses have been approved at various dates subsequently. The most recent layout, approved on 9th October, 1958, provides for a density of approximately 12.5 dwellings per acre. The question whether the building operations now in progress are in accordance with the approvals given is one for the local planning authority.
I have considered the representations made by the hon. Member and by local residents. I can sympathise with the feelings of those who find that the view from their property is being obstructed, yet I do not think it would be appropriate for me to take the quite exceptional step of holding a public inquiry into the merits of the local planning authority's decisions.