§ Mr. Wakehamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many Article 4 directions have been approved by him since 1st March 1974; how many are outstanding; how long, on average, it takes his Department to approve an Article 4 direction.
§ Mr. OakesAt the end of 1975, 131 Article 4 directions covering all kinds of development had been confirmed since 1st March 1974 and 55 were awaiting decision. Confirmation takes an average of two-three months where consultations610W are necessary, although the period varies widely from case to case. Confirmation may be given in a matter of days where immediate effect is essential.
§ Mr. Wakehamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with the use that local authorities are making of Article 4 direction in connection with the misuse of land as leisure plots, and that the present powers are adequate; and if he has any proposals for amending the General Development Order so that Article 4 direction can be brought into effect more easily by local planning authorities.
§ Mr. OakesThe use made of present powers appears to be generally satisfactory. My Department has asked local authority associations for information about the scale of leisure plot activity and any significant difficulties to which it gives rise. We shall consider in the light of that whether there is a case for amendment of the General Development Order.
§ Mr. Wakehamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to seek to amend the Town and Country Planning Acts to make planning permission a requirement before the subdivision of land except for agricultural purposes.
§ Mr. Wakehamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards leisure plots and the abuse of land in this way, with a view to discouraging potential purchasers of subdivided agricultural land and also to avoiding pointless planning appeals.
§ Mr. OakesI would refer the hon. Member to the speech by my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Kelvingrove (Mr. Carmichael) in the Adjournment debate on 19th November 1975 last—[Vol. 901, c. 161–6]. My right hon. Friend is awaiting the information which the local authority associations have undertaken to provide.
§ Mr. Wakehamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to seek to amend Section 22(3) of the 1971 Act to provide that a change 611W in the use of a separate plot of land from agricultural to a leisure purpose would constitute development.