HC Deb 18 July 1991 vol 195 cc238-9W
Sir Peter Morrison

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment in what percentage of cases he has overruled the recommendations of his panel when decisions on local plans have been considered.

Mr. Yeo

Panels are appointed by the Secretary of State to conduct examinations in public in connection with structure plans proposals. No comprehensive statistics are available covering the Secretary of State's decisions on panel recommendations.

Sir Peter Morrison

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what account he took of the fact that Chester enjoys development area status when coming to his decision on the Chester local plan.

Mr. Yeo

The decision by the Secretary of State, in March 1990, to direct the City of Chester not to adopt the Greater Chester local plan was taken to allow full consideration of all the issues it raised, including Chester's development area status, in relation to the Cheshire county replacement structure plan now before him for approval.

Sir Peter Morrison

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether Cheshire county council had in their possession his proposals for the Chester local plan in May of this year; to what extent his recent announcement corresponds to those proposals; and what were the considerations which led to the changes.

Mr. Yeo

The City of Chester has prepared proposals for the Greater Chester local plan which are currently subject to a "holding" direction pending approval of the Cheshire county replacement structure plan.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment's proposed modifications to the structure plan were announced on 10 July 1991, and he has asked Cheshire county council to carry out a consultation on them.

Sir Peter Morrison

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimates he has made of the inevitably necessary development which will occur in the rural areas and villages surrounding Chester as a result of his latest proposals relating to the Chester local plan.

Mr. Yeo

The Cheshire county replacement structure plan will set the pattern of development for the county as a whole to 2001. It will be for the local authorities, including the City of Chester, to formulate detailed proposals in local plans for their areas, within the framework of the structure plan, once it is approved.