§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which Acts of Parliament require him to call in planning appeals for proposed developments involving more than 150 houses or flats for his own determination. [19036]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThere is no statutory requirement for my right hon. Friend to recover planning appeals for his own determination. Under paragraph 3 of schedule 6 to the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, my right hon. Friend may, if he thinks fit, direct that a planning appeal will be determined by him rather than by an appointed person.
§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many planning applications for proposed developments involving more than 150 houses or flats were(a) approved and (b) rejected on appeal in (i) 1994–95, (ii) 1995–96 and (iii) 1996–97; [19035]
(2) how many planning appeals for proposed developments involving more than 150 houses or flats were called in for his or his predecessor's own determination in each of the years (a) 1994–95, (b) 1995–96 and (c) 1996–97 [19038]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe provision of information on Planning Appeals is the responsibility of the Planning Inspectorate. I have asked the Inspectorate's Chief Executive, Mr. Chris Shepley, to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from C. J. Shepley to Mr. Tim Yeo, dated 4 December 1997.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your Questions about planning appeal decisions in 1994–95 to 1996–97 for proposed developments involving more than 150 houses or flats.Our records, for those appeals where the number of dwellings were indicated, show the following:288W
Planning appeals involving more than 150 houses or flats Year Allowed Rejected 1994–95 2 8 1995–96 3 3 1996–97 3 5
Planning appeals involving more than 150 houses or flats recovered for decision by the Secretary of State Year Number 1994–95 18 1995–96 14 1996–97 8