§ Mr. Iain Millsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many letters he received in the course of the consideration of the West Midlands county structure plan in favour of and against the housing development proposed for land near Four Ashes road, Dorridge, Solihull.
§ Mr. TraceyMy right hon. Friend has received 35 letters about the proposed housing development at Four Ashes. Of those, 28 opposed the proposal and seven were in favour. While recognising the strength of local feelings, my right hon. Friend accepted the independent panel's recommendation that some increased provision at Four Ashes was the least harmful way of meeting the overall requirement, especially as this involved no additional land take and no loss of green belt.
§ Mr. Iain Millsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will release Solihull council from the requirement to provide a five-year supply of land for housing.
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§ Mr. TraceyThere is no formal provision for relaxing the requirement laid down in circular 15/84 to maintain a five-year supply of land. While the circular sets out a general policy, local circumstances must also be taken into account when applying its provisions to particular cases.