§ Mr. Gerald Howarthasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the difficulties over the application of planning legislation to Crown land prior to its sale have now been resolved; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinThe Town and Country Planning Act 1984, which has recently received Royal Assent, will enable Crown land to be disposed of with the benefit of planning permission or listed building consent, although there is no private interest in the land already in existence. It will also validate any permission or consent already granted in respect of such land on the basis of an erroneous view of the previous legal position. The new Act will come into force on 12 August 1984 and a circular explaining its provisions will be published nearer that date. While a formal application for permission to develop such land404W cannot be made before 12 August 1984, there is nothing to prevent the usual pre-application discussion from taking place with the local planning authority in the meantime.