ROYAL PARKS AUTHORITIES AND PLANNING LAW (Hansard, 20 July 1993)

Viscount Astor

Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Royal Parks agency under its Chief Executive, Mr. David Welch. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter, from Mr. David Welch, Chief Executive of the Royal Parks, to Lord Kennet, dated 20th July 1993 and signed by Mr. Richard Boyce in the absence of the Chief Executive.

In the absence of the Chief Executive, Viscount Astor has asked me to reply to your Written Parliamentary Question asking:

Further to the letter from the Chief Executive of the Royal Parks (H.L. Deb. 6th July col. WA 50), at what stage of the development planning process the Royal Parks consult the statutory and other local amenity societies.

The Royal Parks have adopted arrangements whereby local planning authorities and other interested bodies are consulted at an early stage of any proposed development within the Royal Parks. The timing of consultation may vary depending on the proposal; for example, it might be at the feasibility study stage, or once the feasibility had been tested. The agency are aware that developments in the Royal Parks are likely to be of special concern to a wide range of people and we aim to seek comment at the earliest possible stage and are always prepared to discuss and consider ways in which any objections might be overcome.