§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what guidance his Department has offered to local planning authorities on when they may consider the needs and interests of communities, including the protection and character and way of life of communities, as a factor in decisions relating to planning permission;
(2) what guidance his Department offers in the form of a planning policy guidance note, to include the needs and interests of communities, including the protection of the character and way of life of communities, within the provisions of their development plans;
(3) if he will make it his policy to require local planning authorities to include the social needs and interests of communities within the provisions of their development plans and local plans; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerI intend issuing guidance on the place of the Welsh language in development plans and planning control in the very near future. The Department's current policy, as regards development plans, is set out in paragraph 4.10 of Welsh Office circular 43/84, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.