§ 25. Sir Paul BeresfordTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what role the proposed Greater London authority will play in influencing planning decisions; and if he will make a statement. [43252]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe Mayor will be responsible for ensuring that planning decisions on matters of importance to London as a whole take account of the broader strategic interest. He or she will do this through informal advice to the boroughs and through two formal mechanisms
(i) Strategic planning—The Mayor will be required to draw up a Spatial Development Strategy in place of the current guidance issued by the Secretary of State. The London boroughs will continue to produce detailed Unitary Development Plans for their areas, but these must be "in general conformity" with the Mayor's strategy.(ii) Development Control—London boroughs will remain the primary planning authorities for their areas. For a limited number of classes of development with significant strategic implications, the borough will have to consult the Mayor before reaching its decision. In the last resort the Mayor will be able to direct a borough to refuse permission where this is necessary on genuine strategic grounds. The applicant would have the right of appeal to the Secretary of State in the normal way. The criteria for applications falling into this category will be strictly drawn and the Government will be consulting on these in due course.