§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will call in for decision by himself the current planning application in respect of Rhos-y-Chellis farm, Northop, Clwyd; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GristMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales understands that Delyn borough council is meeting today to determine this planning application. Should it be minded to grant planning permission for the proposal development it has indicated that it will refer the application to my right hon. Friend, under the Town and Country Planning (Development Plans) (Wales) Direction 1981, as a material departure from an approved development plan. He will then decide whether to call it in for his determination and I shall ensure that the hon. and learned Gentleman is informed of that decision when it has been taken.
§ Mr. CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his policy concerning the relevance of subjective financial criteria affecting the viability of planning applications in Wales.
§ Mr. GristGenerally speaking, financial considerations play no part in the determination of planning applications, the viability of a proposal being essentially a matter for the developer. There will be occasions, however, when the planning consequences of the financial viability of a development must be taken into account, for example, the likelihood of a development being only partially completed or the viability of a farming enterprise in assessing the need for an agricultural dwelling. The relevance of those factors will depend upon the particular circumstances of individual cases.