§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what criteria he uses to determine which planning appeals for supermarket developments are called in for his own determination. [18199]
§ Mr. Raynsford[holding answer 28 November 1997]: In recovering planning appeals for his determination, as distinct from planning applications called in prior to decision by a local planning authority, my right hon. Friend has regard to the criteria in paragraph 36 of the Government's response to the Fifth Report from the Environment Committee, Session 1985–86 (Cmnd. paper 43).
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what factors underlie the prohibition of appeals against a planning application which is allowed by a local authority. [17242]
§ Mr. RaynsfordIn recent years, the scope for third parties to participate in the planning process has been increased by requiring that development plan policies are adopted only after widespread consultation and making it a statutory requirement that all planning applications are publicised. It is the responsibility of local planning authorities to act in the general public interest when determining planning applications and we therefore have no plans to introduce a third party right of appeal against the granting of planning permission. Such a right could be used to delay or effectively veto many acceptable developments needed for the health and growth of our economy.