§ Mr. Lawrenceasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will indemnify local planning authorities against claims for compensation under section 165 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971 when the use classes order and the general development amendment order are in operation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneThe orders amending the Town and Country Planning (General Development) Order and the406W Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order which are due to come into operation on 1 May 1984 will enable local authorities to exercise greater planning control over potentially hazardous development. It should normally be possible for authorities to make effective use of these additional powers without incurring significant compensation liabilities. While any special problems arising for an authority faced with a major and unavoidable compensation claim arising from the orders will be considered sympathetically, the offer of a total indemnity against all such claims would not be justified, even if the legal basis for such an indemnity existed.