§ Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland under what powers he considers appeals by regional authorities for the calling in of planning decisions by district councils; what are the limits of time required for such decisions; if provision is made for cases where the time limits cannot be kept; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonUnder the terms of section 179 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 a district planning authority may appeal to my right hon. and learned Friend against the calling in of a planning application by a regional planning authority. There is no statutory time limit on my right hon. and learned Friend for determining a call-in appeal. SDD circular 29/1988 advised planning authorities that my right hon. and learned Friend would normally reach his decision on an appeal against call-in within 21 days of receiving written statements from both planning authorities.