§ Mr. Liptonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking to expedite a final decision on the future of Piccadilly Circus, which has been the subject of discussions during the past 14 years.
§ Mr. John SilkinPiccadilly Circus is proposed as an action area in the Greater London Development Plan, and the Westminster City Council, the local planning authority, is responsible for preparing the action area plan. The GLC retains responsibility for strategic planning, metropolitan road improvements and traffic management. Following earlier public consultation the city council has prepared a draft planning brief setting out its views on the physical limitation and opportunities for development or rehabilitation within the Piccadilly Circus action area and providing guidelines to the owners of sites around the Circus. When formal applications for planning permission are submitted to the city council the services of my Department will be readily available to assist in the determination of the proposals.