§ Sir Dudley Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many planning decisions by local authorities where they have granted themselves planning permission have been called in by him since he took office; how many have been reversed; and in how many cases he has refused to take action.
§ Mr. TraceyPlanning proposals by the local authority can only be called in by the Secretary of State before a decision is taken by the authority. However, provisional returns show that, in the period July-December 1985, six out of 20 local authority planning proposals required to be notified to my right hon. Friend were called in for his decision.
§ Sir Dudley Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will examine the present arrangements for checking decisions of local authorities who have power to grant themselves planning permission.
§ Mr. TraceyThe procedures under which my right hon. Friend considers whether the local planning authority shall be required to apply to him for permission for a development which it proposes to undertake are kept under review. They operate in a generally satisfactory manner.
§ Sir Dudley Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to provide that local authorities with planning permission powers use such powers only when they have taken specific steps to satisfy themselves that the interests of the local population have been protected; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. TraceyLocal authorities are already required by the Town and Country Planning General Regulations 1976 to give their development proposals the same publicity and to carry out the same consultations as for any planning application for similar development. They are also obliged to consult any other local planning authority for the area in which the land concerned is situated.