§ Mr. Joel Barnettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue a circular to local authorities that before they consider giving approval to any planning proposals, including the restriction of parking in given areas, it should not he sufficient to put a notice in a local newspaper and outside a town hall, but that residents affected, as in the example provided by the hon. Member for Heywood and Royton affecting his own home, should be given notice in writing, with adequate time to register an objection; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Graham PageMy hon. Friend has written to the hon. Member about this. Authorities may give publicity to planning proposals over and above the statutory requirements; and they are encouraged to do so where the proposals will have wide effects. But there are some 450,000 planning applications each year and to require notification of residents affected in every case would lead to intolerable delays.