§ 76. Mr. Evelyn Kingasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking by way of encouraging grants of planning consents in order to increase the number of persons living in villages and in the countryside outside the green belt.
§ Mr. Graham PageMy right hon. Friend outlined in the House on 27th April various measures to encourage release of land for housing in all suitable places subject to the usual restraints upon development, such as the green belt.
It is for local planning authorities in the first instance to decide where development is acceptable. If potential developers feel that authorities are unduly restricting individual developments of the kind my hon. Friend has in mind, they are free to appeal to my right hon. Friend who will consider each case on its merits.