HC Deb 15 February 1995 vol 254 c672W
Mr. Harvey

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will place in the Library copies of representations made to him relating to his decision over whether to call in the planning application for a leisure development at Whitechapel moors, north Devon.

Sir Paul Beresford

I will arrange for the hon. Member to receive copies of all the representations made about the proposed leisure development at Whitechapel moors, north Devon, as it would not be appropriate to place copies in the Library. Copies of all these representations have already been sent to the agents acting for the applicant and North Devon district council.

Mr. Harvey

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what considerations underlay his Department's delay in calling in the planning application for a leisure development at Whitechapel moors, north Devon.

Sir Paul Bereford

I refer the hon. Member to the answers that I gave him on 2 November 1994,Official Report, columns 1152–53.

There was no undue delay in calling in the planning application.

On 21 December 1994 North Devon district council wrote to the Government office for the south-west indicating that it had resolved to grant planning permission for a leisure development at Whitechapel moors, north Devon. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State took full account of all the planning issues involved, and the representations received, and called in the application for his own determination on 19 January 1995—15 working days after receipt of the council' s letter.

The planning issues which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State wants considered at the public inquiry are set out in the call-in letter issued by the Government office for the south-west.