Marine Unit (Hansard, 9 November 1992)

HC Deb 09 November 1992 vol 213 c582W 582W

§ Mr. Dafis
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will establish a specialist marine unit within his Department.

§ Mr. Gwilym Jones
No.

§ Mr. Dafis
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to issue guidance to local authorities on the practice of charging fees for pre-application advice on development proposals.

§ Mr. Gwilym Jones
The courts have held that local planning authorities have no power to charge fees for providing pre-application advice about development proposals. The Government consider that pre-application discussions are beneficial and local planning authorities are encouraged to continue this practice.