HC Deb 14 June 1972 vol 838 cc315-6W
68. Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment under what statutory planning powers local authorities, when considering applications for mixed development, may automatically impose a condition that any residential accommodation included in such a scheme should be completed and occupied prior to the occupation of business accommodation; and what is his policy towards the imposition of such conditions.

Mr. Graham Page

Where the provision of the housing accommodation in a mixed development is important on planning grounds, a condition of this kind may be appropriate and could be imposed under Section 29 of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1971. But this cannot be done automatically and must be justified by the facts of the case. In principle I would be prepared to uphold a condition of this kind if the evidence on appeal so warranted.