HC Deb 31 March 1971 vol 814 c373W
52. Mr. Golding

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will introduce legislation to ensure that planning permission for the building of houses is refused when the site is unsuitable.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

No. In considering a planning application a local planning authority is already required by Section 17 of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1962 to have regard to any material consideration. The suitability of the land for development of the kind proposed is clearly such a consideration.