§ Mr. HunterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his policy in respect of the development of new towns on green-field sites; and what representations he has received on Eagle Star's proposals for Micheldever Station, Hampshire. [31874]
§ Mr. RaynsfordNational planning policy guidance on new settlements is set out in PPGs 3 and 13, and the recent policy document "Planning for the Communities of the Future" (Cmd 3885). It is for local authorities to decide their policy on new settlements in the light of their development plan strategy and the need to promote sustainable patterns of development.
Since the publication of the Hampshire Structure Plan EIP panel report the Government have received around 30 letters of representation concerning the new settlement proposals at Micheldever Station. Lord Lucas also tabled a Lords question in June 1997. The Dever Society has recently sent me a copy of a Sustainability Assessment of BAT/Eagle Star's proposal, prepared for them by Land-Use Consultants.