§ Mr. Tugendhatasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for the modification of the control of office development; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerAfter reviewing the operation and effects of the present control on office development I have decided 45W to introduce a number of modifications. First, the exemption limit for office development permits in Greater London will be raised from 3,000 sq. ft. to 10,000 sq. ft., thus bringing the London area into line with the rest of the South-East Economic Planning Region. Second, those parts of the East and West Midlands Regions currently subject to the control will be exempted.
So far as the first modification is concerned, experience shows that offices of up to 10,000 sq. ft. are required principally by local users, and the great majority of applications for permits in this category are granted for this reason. As to the second modification, I am satisfield that the continued retention of control in those parts of the Midlands Regions still subject to it does not serve any strategic purpose in respect of the distribution of office employment in the Midlands.
The effect of those modifications will be to restrict the office control in future to the South-East Economic Planning Region only. In administering the control my primary objectives will be to continue to encourage the dispersal from London of activities which can be equally effectively carried out elsewhere, and of channelling this growth to areas which are capable of sustaining it. At the same time, in considering applications for office development permits in the Greater London area I shall have regard to the need to ensure that a sufficiency of new office space is being provided for the essential needs of commerce.
I shall consider what further modifications to the control may be desirable when more progress has been made in considering the implications of the Strategic Plan for the South East, and with the Inquiry into the Greater London Development Plan.
Orders to give effect to these decisions are being laid before Parliament.