§ Mr. WillisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to allow local planning authorities fully to determine applications for motorway service areas. [42924]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonWe have no plans to change the existing arrangements under which motorway service area planning applications are dealt with in the same way as those for any other development. Applications which are called in for determination by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, or are the subject of an appeal by the intending developer, will normally be considered at a public inquiry before an independent Inspector. In such cases, the Inspector reports to my right hon. Friend who takes the final decision. In all other circumstances, the decision rests with the local planning authority.
§ Mr. WillisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to take direct responsibility for the location of motorway service areas; and if he will make a statement. [42923]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonPlanning Policy Guidance Note 13 ("Transport") and Roads Circular 1/94 give advice to intending developers and local planning authorities on the spacing of motorway service areas (MSAs). We are considering whether there is any need to amend that advice but we have no plans to review the underlying policy that, within the constraints set by the spacing guidance, identification of specific sites for proposed new MSAs is a matter for the private sector.