HC Deb 03 March 1998 vol 307 c557W
Mr. Brake

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will amend planning guidelines to allow local authorities greater scope to turn down planning applications on the grounds of poor quality or design. [32334]

Mr. Raynsford

Local authorities have always had a discretion to refuse planning permission on grounds of poor quality or design. Detailed guidance on design issues are contained in PPG1: General Policy and Principles, published in February 1997.