HL Deb 23 October 1984 vol 456 cc193-4WA
Lord Jenkins of Putney

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why Mr. Paul Raymond was allowed to use the Whitehall Theatre as a museum without applying for change of use; why he was allowed to continue the illegal use prior to his application for change of use; why he is still permitted to continue that use now that his application for change of use has been rejected, with the result that the theatre has been in illegal use for more than a year.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Department of the Environment (The Earl of Avon)

I understand that the local planning authority, Westminster City Council, have issued an enforcement notice, under Section 87 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971, alleging that there has been a material change of use of the Whitehall Theatre, and requiring its use as an exhibition hall to be discontinued; but the effect of this notice has been suspended by an appeal against it to my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Environment. Arrangements are being made for this appeal to be heard and determined as soon as practicable.