§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the powers he possesses to control the siting of private and other airfields, respectively, and his powers concerning noise and pollution in these areas.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerApplication for planning permission has to be made where land is to be developed as an airfield unless the promoters obtain powers direct from Parliament. While the procedures are slightly modified in the case of certain public proposals, for example, those by Government Departments, the effects are similar. Applications are made to and determined by the local planning authority unless they are called in for my decision. Since any major airport is likely to be of more than local importance, I am in general ready to use my powers to call in such applications. I accept that noise and other forms of pollution should be taken fully into account before planning permission is given. It may sometimes be appropriate to impose conditions to regulate use of an airfield in the interests of amenity e.g. by restrictions on night flights but planning powers are not appropriate for detailed control over pollution cause by aircraft in flight.