§ Sir John Langford-Holtasked the Secretary of State for the Environment why British Railways are exempted from planning permission regarding buildings connected with movements by rail.
§ Mr. FoxDevelopment of some BR buildings on their operational land does not require specific planning permission since it is permitted development under the Town and Country Planning General Development Order 1977. The order grants planning permission for specified developments by many statutory undertakers which are necessary for the operation of those undertakings and which, generally, it would be impracticable or undesirable to subject to control. However, the order provides the means whereby any of these developments can be made subject to control, as circumstances warrant. Non-operational developments and major developments—for example the construction of railway lines or stations—require specific permission.