HC Deb 11 May 1965 vol 712 cc26-7W
28. Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will take steps, in consultation with planning authorities, to inform members of the public of the procedure for consideration of representations which may have been made for or against any particular planning proposal.

Mr. MacColl

The procedure adopted for considering representations is a matter for each planning authority to decide.

29. Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what steps he is taking, in consultation with planning authorities, to improve the means of keeping members of the public informed of planning proposals which may affect the value and amenities of their homes.

Mr. MacColl

The difficulty here is to reconcile the need for speedy decisions with telling people what is proposed. There are already fairly extensive requirements for publicity and my right hon. Friend would need much more evidence before he felt justified in adding to what is already a time-consuming and complicated procedure.

47. Mr. Hornby

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what plans he has for ensuring that people likely to be affected by planning appeals may be given the chance to make their views known when the written statement method of deciding appeals is made use of.

Mr. MacColl

The method of deciding an appeal on written statements is used only when there seems no need to give third parties an opportunity of expressing their views on the appeal.