§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will review the categories of development permitted without prior planning permission; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneWe published for public consultation last year a number of proposals to amend the General Development Order 1977, including changes to some of the categories of permitted development set out in that order. Details of our conclusions in respect of telecommunications development were outlined in a reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Kingswood (Mr. Hayward) on 25 October 1984 at column689–90. I am currently considering the results of the consultations on the other proposals. Our overall aim is to keep or reduce planning controls over development to the necessary minimum, while ensuring that they are effective in operation.