§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will implement the proposal made in his Department's consultation paper of July 1986 to limit the maximum permitted size of estate agents' boards to 0.2 sq m; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe consultation paper of July 1986 invited comment on a proposal to limit the maximum permitted area of estate agents' boards on residential property to 0.2 sq m. Subsequently, my right hon. Friend concluded that the maximum permitted area should be 0.5 sq m, for a single board advertising the sale or letting of residential property—a reduction of 75 per cent. in the present maximum permitted area (2 sq m). My right hon. Friend laid amending regulations (The Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 1987, SI 1987/2227) on 8 January, subject to the negative resolution procedure. The main provisions relating to estate agents' boards are to take effect on 28 October.