§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list all applications to demolish listed buildings in each of the last 12 months; and if lie will make a statement.
§ Mr. BaldryThis information is not readily available.
Private applications for listed building consent are made to local planning authorities, which refer them to the Secretary of State only if they are minded to grant consent. All applications for listed building consent by local planning authorities are submitted to the Secretary of State for his determination.
In the financial year 1990–91, 79 private applications for consent totally to demolish listed buildings were referred to the Secretary of State and 33 such local planning authority applications were determined by the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State left local authorities to decide 72 of the private applications and called in the remaining seven for his own decision. Of the called-in applications, consent was refused in three cases and granted in four cases. Of the local authority applications, the Secretary of State refused consent in six cases and granted consent in 27 cases.