§ Mr. GouldTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress the Government have made since September 1990 in their review of national planning policy guidance.
§ Mr. HeseltineSince September 1990 we have issued planning policy guidance on archaeology and on affordable housing, and draft guidance on sport and recreation, advertisement control, redundant hospital sites in the green belts, sites of special scientific interest and travelling showpeople. We are finalising guidance on land656W for housing and on the countryside. We are about to issue draft guidance on enforcement, and are preparing consultation drafts of revised or new guidance on general policy and principles; industrial and commercial development and small firms; simplified planning zones; telecommunications; development plans and regional planning guidance; coastal policy; listed buildings and conservation areas; nature conservation; noise; planning, pollution control and waste management; renewable energy; and tourism. We will be pressing ahead with this work now the Planning Compensation Bill has completed its passage through Parliament.
We are about to issue draft minerals planning guidance on interim development orders. We are preparing consultation drafts on cement and on the treatment of disused mine openings.
We issued regional planning guidance for East Anglia this month. We are preparing a consultation draft of revised guidance for the south-east. In most other regions groups of local authorities are making good progress in preparing advice for the Secretary of State as a basis for draft guidance.