§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the Government's policy on major retail development in the green belt.
§ Mr. HowardMajor retail development proposals have no place in the green belt. The Government's commitment212W to upholding this policy is demonstrated by my right hon. Friend's dismissal in February of proposals for a major shopping and leisure complex at Bricket wood near St. Albans, and by his dismissal today of similar proposals at Hewitts farm near Orpington. Both sites are in the metropolitan green belt. In both these cases my right hon. Friend has ordered the prospective developer to pay the cost incurred by the local planning authority at the public inquiries held to consider these proposals.