Mr. John Mark Taylorasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received concerning pressures for substantial commercial developments in traditionally residential outer suburbs of the English conurbations; and what criteria he follows in deciding whether to call in planning applications of this kind.
§ Mr. TraceyMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State does from time to time receive representations on such matters. Requests for applications to be called in are considered on their individual merits, but the general approach is to be very selective about calling in applications for the Secretary of State's decision, and in general applications are called in only when planning issues of more than local importance are involved.