§ Mr. Iain Millsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to prevent speculative planning applications in green belt areas.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneNo. There is a general presumption against inappropriate development within green belts, but this should not preclude the right to submit planning applications in these areas.
§ Mr. Iain Millsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to defer all planning applications involving the change of use of green belt land in the Meriden gap area until he has determined the west midlands structure plan; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneThe fact that a plan is being prepared should not preclude the normal processing of planning applications for an area. The Secretary of State has power to defer the grant of planning permission under article 10 of the Town and Country Planning General Development Order 1977 and has recently exercised that power in respect of two proposals adjacent to the National Exhibition Centre. In general, however, it must be for the local planning authority to decide whether or not to grant a permission in a particular case. The west midlands structure plan alterations are currently under consideration and it is hoped to publish any proposed modifications later this year.