§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the outcome of the consultation paper, "Streamlining Planning".
§ Mr. CurryI am pleased to announce today that we shall be taking forward proposals in the "Streamlining Planning" consultation paper to relax planning controls in respect of flats over shops; extensions to schools, colleges, universities and hospitals; flat advertisements at householders' sites and other advertisement controls. We shall also be abolishing the special industrial use classes, so that planning permission will not be required for changes between all general industrial uses within existing buildings.
Taken together, these reforms will represent a significant benefit to business without reducing protection for the environment of amenity. They will also help improve the overall efficiency of the planning system by relieving local authorities from determining some relatively minor planning applications.
These changes will apply equally in Wales.