§ Mr. EvennettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy towards the inclusion in structure plans and local plans of policies designated to curtail the freedoms provided by the use classes order.
§ Mr. HowardStructure plans and local plans may reasonably seek to encourage particular types of development, but they should not include development control policies whose effect would be to impose general restrictions on the freedoms provided by the use classes order and by the general development order where those orders provide for changes of use without the need for specific planning permission. As was recognised in Circular 13/87, it may very exceptionally be appropriate for a local planning authority in determining a particular planning application to impose a condition restricting the use to which land or buildings may subsequently be put; but plans should not embody general policies for such restrictions.
Development plan policies must be relevant and up to date if they are to carry weight in the consideration of planning applications and appeals. Local planning authorities should, therefore, where necessary bring forward early alterations to policies in plans which are in conflict with the basis of the use classes order. Where already submitted alterations or replacement plans have been drawn up on the basis of the former provisions, the Secretary of State will want to consider the need for modifications to bring them into conformity with the order. Planning authorities should where necessary be prepared to put forward revised proposals for consideration at the examination in public.