§ Mr. BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [32336]
§ Mr. Macdonald[holding answer 3 March 1998]: "National Planning Policy Guideline 1 (NPPG): The Planning System" informs local authorities and others that quality and design are material considerations to be taken 658W into account when determining applications; thus authorities have scope to reject applications which are deficient in either quality or design. Research is currently underway which will advise on the operation and adequacy of the current framework of guidance, and we intend to issue a consultation paper later this month or early next on the quality of new housing in the Scottish countryside. The need for further guidance will be considered once the findings from both these exercises have been evaluated.