§ Mr. FavellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to commence the development plans provisions of the Planning and Compensation Act 1991; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungOn 4 September, the Department published proposals for the implementation of the 161W development plans provisions of the Planning and Compensation Act 1991 and invited views on a draft of planning policy guidance note 12. The consultation period closed on 1 November. The Department is carefully considering all the responses made but it would clearly assist those local planning authorities at critical stages of plan preparation to have as much notice as possible of the intended date of commencement of the new development plans system.
Accordingly, I am announcing today that, subject to Parliamentary considerations, we propose to commence the new system early in February 1992. We shall try to lay the regulations setting out the details as early as possible before that date, and I expect to announce a firm commencement date within the next month or so. The Department is today writing to all local planning authorities in England to confirm that information. The Welsh Office are writing similarly to authorities in Wales.