§ Mr. Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the cost to public funds of holding each of the following public inquiries; how long after the submission of the planning application each inquiry commenced; what was the length of each inquiry; and how long after the end of each inquiry his decision was announced, or is expected to be announced: Windscale, Vale of Belvoir, Lake District, Two Lakes, and Coin Street.
§ Mr. FoxThe information available is set out below. Information about costs incurred by other Departments or bodies cannot readily be provided. The information about the Department of the Environment's costs excludes some establishment costs not separately charged.
WINDSCALE
PLANNING APPLICATION BY BRITISH
NUCLEAR FUELS LTD. (BNFL)
DOE costs—£136,000.
Time before inquiry commenced—15 weeks from submission of revised planning application to local planning authority (lpa).
Length of inquiry—100 sitting days.
Decision on planning application announced—18 weeks after close of inquiry.
VALE OF BELVOIR
THREE PLANNING APPLICATIONS BY
NATIONAL COAL BOARD
DOE costs to date—£105,000.
Time before inquiry commenced—62 weeks from submission of applications to lpa.
Length of inquiry—84 sitting days.
Decisions will be issued as soon as possible after receipt of the inspector's report, which is awaited.