§ Mr. Heddleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the average time taken for planning appeals to be dealt with for each of the last six years, whether by way of written representation or by a public inquiry; and whether or not the decision was made by an inspector or by himself.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneMedian times for deciding planning appeals between 1979 and 1984 were as follows:
§ Mr. Allan StewartThe Secretary of State considers that the scheme cannot be accommodated within the board's capital expenditure programme over the next few years. In the circumstances, the board has announced that it has decided to withdraw the scheme from its immediate plans with the intention of resubmitting it later when there is a prospect of room being found for it within the investment programme authorised by the Government. The Secretary of State has accordingly taken no decision on the merits of the scheme and on the objections made to it.
The North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board has made it clear that if and when the proposals are resubmitted it will observe the full procedural requirements, which will provide a renewed opportunity for any members of the public who wish to do so to make formal objections. In the 479W circumstances, the Secretary of State proposes to take no further action on the objections which were made to the scheme as originally submitted.