§ LORD MANCROFTasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will consider a change in the present planning procedure in order to reduce the risk of major redevelopment projects being completed before the public can discover who is concerned and what is involved.
THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES (LORD MITCHISON)Planning authorities are required to keep a register in which brief details of every planning application must be entered within 14 days of receipt. The register must be made available for public inspection free of charge. Applications for certain kinds of development must be advertised in the local Press by the applicant before he submits his application. Otherwise there is no statutory requirement for publicity. To advertise all applications would hold up decisions. Planning authorities have, however, been asked to consider giving publicity to applications affecting the whole of a neighbourhood or affecting buildings of architectural or historic interest; and to consult local opinion on urban renewal schemes. My right honourable friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government would require much more evidence of unsatisfactory working before he was ready to consider a change in the system.
House adjourned at fourteen minutes before three o'clock.