§ Mr. Wallasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the demolition of the whole of the Yorkshire Bank in Saturday Market, Beverley, contrary to the term of the planning consent given on his authority.
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§ Mr. Graham PageAlthough my right hon. Friend left the decision on the application for consent to demolish the Yorkshire Bank to the local planning authority, the decision to give consent, subject to the retention of certain parts, including most of the front of the building, was the authority's.
It is an offence to carry out unauthorised works on a listed building but Section 40(8) of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1968, provides that in proceedings for such an offence it shall be a defence to prove that the works were urgently necessary in the interests of health or safety, or for the preservation of the building, and that notice in writing of the need for the works was given to the local planning authority as soon as reasonably practicable. I understand that the owners of the Yorkshire Bank gave the authority notice that the demolition of the front of the building was urgently necessary in the interests of safety before they demolish it. They have undertaken to dismantle the front carefully and to rebuild with the original materials. It is now for the local planning authority to decide whether it should take any further action.