§ Mr. HeddleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in theOfficial Report a list of local authorities which have responded positively to his request to publish local plans setting out their policies and proposals for development and conservation; and what action he proposes to take to ensure that those local authorities which have not acted in response to PPG12 do so forthwith.
§ Mr. ChopeI am aware that many planning authorities have responded positively to PPG 12 and are starting work on preparing or updating local plans. The full impact of PPG12 will not, however, be apparent for some time, as several months are normally required for plan preparation and public participation before a plan can be formally placed on deposit.
Though my right hon. Friend has powers of direction, I believe that the message to planning authorities should be a positive one—that it is in their own interests to ensure that local plans are prepared or brought up to date as quickly as possible.