§ Mr. Les Huckfieldasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make it his policy to call in for his determination all cases where planning permission or listed building consent is needed, if a local authority has an interest in the land or buildings and, if there are any objections, to order a public inquiry.
§ Mr. Giles ShawNo. Our general policy is not to call in planning applications unless they raise issues of more than local importance, and we would not think it right to deprive local planning authorities of jurisdiction in all cases, regardless of importance, where they had an interest in the land. However, where an authority makes an application which involves the alteration or extension of a listed building, or listed building consent is sought, the case has in any event to be referred to my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State.