§ Mr. Mike O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether it is his intention that local authorities should have a veto on applications for opencast mining.
§ Mr. BaldryNo. It is for the mineral planning authority as the elected representatives of the local community in the first instance to decide in any particular case whether planning permission should be granted having regard to all the material considerations, including the potential impact of the development on the environment and local residents. However, it is a fundamental of the land use planning system that the applicant has the right of appeal to the Secretary of State against a mineral planning authority's refusal of an application.