HC Deb 28 April 1998 vol 311 cc86-7W
Mr. Harvey

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will reduce the levels of housing provision in emerging county structure plans in counties where he assesses development could seriously damage the environment. [40100]

Mr. Raynsford

The Town & Country Planning (Development Plan) Regulations 1991 require planning authorities to have regard to environmental considerations in preparing structure plans and Part 1 of Unitary Development Plans. The environmental implications of plan policies should be appraised as part of the plan preparation process. It is for the planning authority to determine the level of housing provision in emerging structure plans in the light of these considerations.

The Secretary of State examines development plans carefully to identify whether they are consistent with national and regional planning guidance and whether there are conflicts with the guidance which do not appear to be justified by local circumstances. He can object to plan proposals prior to their adoption, and also has powers of intervention to direct plan proposals to be modified before adoption.

Mr. Harvey

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will require the new policies set out in Planning for the Communities of the Future to be reflected in the current round of emerging county structure plans (up to 2011). [40097]

Mr. Raynsford

I refer the hon. Member to the reply my hon. Friend the Minister for the Regions, Regeneration and Planning gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Regent's Park and Kensington, North (Ms Buck) on 1 April 1998,Official Report, columns 530–31.