HC Deb 28 June 1989 vol 155 cc488-9W
45. Mr. Adley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the future of structure plan procedures.

Mr. Howard

Our proposals were published last January in the White Paper on the future of development plans, Cm. 569. The counties will continue to have a key role in the planning process, but will be expected in future to concentrate on those planning issues which genuinely need to be considered on a county-wide basis. Structure plans will be replaced by statements of county planning policies—SCPPs—dealing with a specified range of topics. Each district planning authority will be required to have regard to the SCPP and to ensure that its district development plan is consistent with the SCPP.

Each county will be responsible for adopting its own SCPP, and for conducting the public examination of the draft statement. My right hon. Friend will continue to appoint the chairman of the panel, and the inspector member, but the statement will not be subject to his formal approval, unless reserve powers are invoked.