§ Mr. Edgeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now seek powers to require local authorities to inform residents of property adjacent to premises which are the subject of a planning application, of the contents of that application and to consider any objection the residents may wish to make to the proposed development.
§ Mr. John SilkinLocal authorities already have powers to notify neighbours about planning applications. Many of them already do so and take into account any representations received. This sort of publicity is essentially a matter for local discretion and resources and I would not seek to impose rigid requirements.