§ Mr. Allasonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will be publishing the booklet on examinations in public for structure plans; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Graham PageThe examination in public of the new type of development plan, the structure plan, is a breakaway from the traditional inquiry into objections. It is thus an important change 401W affecting people and planning. A booklet containing a code of practice for such an examination is being published today, free of charge. Copies have been placed in the Library of both Houses.
The code of practice sets out the arrangements leading up to the new examination in public and the way the examination will be conducted. The booklet explains why this kind of examination has been introduced for the structure plan. It also emphasises the importance which we attach to reducing substantially the time it has taken in the past to issue decisions on plans under the old development plan system.
I have asked local authorities and the national organisations consulted in the course of preparing it to help to secure a wide circulation.
The first structure plan has been submitted by Solihull county borough. I expect Coventry county borough and the counties of Warwickshire and Worcestershire to submit the structure plans for their areas very shortly. Accordingly, the first examination in public should be held towards the end of this year.