§ 99. Mr. AlisonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment to what extent he will take county structure plans and other local plans into account in considering major planning applications for new housing development.
§ Mr. WaldegraveSection 29 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971 requires that the planning decision shall have regard to the provisions of the development plan, so far as material to the application, and to any other material consideration. We have made clear (in planning policy guidance note No. 1) that where the development plan is up to date and relevant to the particular proposal, it should normally be given considerable weight in the decision, and strong contrary planning grounds will have to be demonstrated to justify a proposal which conflicts with the plan.