§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his planning appeal inspectorate's policy towards a planning application refused by local planning authorities because of the cumulative effect of the relevant proposal when considered with other similar proposals not the subject of the isolated application; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. BaldryIn dealing with any appeal, a planning inspector examines the merits of the case, having regard to all material considerations including those raised by the appellant, the planning authority and other parties.
In an area where there have been significant developments of a particular type, the question of whether the locality is suitable for further development of that nature may be material. In such circumstances, an assessment or the proposal would need to take into account the likely additional impact the individual proposal would have on the locality as well as the cumulative effect of those similar proposals taken together.
§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from Stoke-on-Trent city council and local authority associations concerning the draft notices implying that an individual notice for all major planning applications should be inserted in the local press; what is his estimate of the cost of such individual notices; what provision he has made to ensure local authorities can meet these additional cost implications; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BaldryA number of representations have been received from local authorities and their associations about the costs of compulsory publicity for planning applications. My Department has recently commissioned research into local authority development control costs which will, among other things, investigate the costs of implementing the new publicity arrangements. The Government are committed to taking these extra costs into account when planning application fees are next reviewed.