§ Mr. Merlyn Reesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what control is exercised by his Department on the methods of disposal of publicly owned land by a local authority.
§ Mr. Graham PageSince the Town and Country Planning Act, 1959, local authorities have required the consent of my right hon. Friend to the disposal of land only in a limited range of cases. These include land acquired compulsorily, open space, common land held under local Acts, statutory allotments, land acquired or appropriated for planning purposes, and buildings of architectural or historic importance.
My right hon. Friend's consent is also generally required if the local authority wish to dispose of any land at less than market value.
Applications for consent are considered on their merits.