§ Mr. Tugendhatasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he proposes to direct that the planning applications for the redevelopment of the Piccadilly Circus area should be referred by the Westminster City Council for decision by him.
§ Mr. Peter Walker:The arrangements made with the Westminster City Council, including the issue of short-dated office development permits which were legally pre-requisite to the planning applications, were designed to put the whole redevelopment scheme on public view at the earliest possible stage. I am most grateful to the city council for making this possible. But the issue is of such public importance and nterest that I am consulting the Westminster City Council about referring, the applications to me now without going, through the ordinary planning, procedures, which are bound to take time.