§ Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects coverage of the nation by local and structure plans to be completed.
§ Mr. Guy BarnettCoverage of England and Wales by submitted structure plans is expected to be complete around the end of 1980. Local authorities are not obliged to provide complete coverage by way of local plans. Resources for this work are limited and the statutory development plan scheme sets out for each county the priority and the nature of the necessary local plans.
§ Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he has considered introducing amending legislation to allow for the revocation of a structure plan either entirely or in part to ensure that up-to-date local planning can take place;
(2) if he will consider facilitating the adoption of local plans in advance of approval of a structure plan by extending to all local authorities the greater flexibility afforded to local plans covered by the Inner Urban Areas Act;
(3) if he will consider allowing the adoption of local plans in those areas where they depart from an approved structure plan but where the departure has the approval of the strategic authority.
§ Mr. Guy BarnettIt is important that local plans be adopted quickly where they 215W are needed to replace out-of-date plans. We are considering whether to extend to all planning authorities the provisions in the Inner Urban Areas Act 1978 so that local plans may be adopted in advance of the approval or alteration of the structure plan for the area.
§ Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will improve the length of time his Department takes to process and approve structure plans.
§ Mr. Gay BarnettThat is our aim.
§ Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to allow structure plans to be subject to an annual review and updating.
Mr. Guy BurnettThe monitoring and review of structure plans is a continuous process, and the county planning authority can submit proposals for alteration whenever necessary.
§ Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has asked the relevant local authorities to produce their structure plans by any particular date.
Mr. Guy BurnettNo, but the importance of completing the preparation of structure plans has been emphasised in a recent circular.
§ Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with the position whereby a structure plan need not include reference to the other local authority investment plans.
§ Mr. Guy BarnettThe county planning authority preparing a structure plan is required to have regard to the resources likely to be available for carrying out their proposals. Moreover, in deciding whether or not to approve a structure plan, my right hon. Friend takes into account its relationship with the investment and expenditure programmes and plans of both public and private sectors in the area concerned.
§ Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied that sufficient public participation is provided for whenever a structure plan needs to be revised.
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§ Mr. Guy BarnettYes. The statutory procedures for publicity, public participation and consultation are the same for alterations as for the original proposals. Before considering whether to approve alterations, the Secretary of State must be satisfied that public participation has been adequate.