§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions in each of the years from 1992 to 1997 how many planning applications in England were referred to his Department(a) because they were applications raising issues of more than local significance, (b) following referral by the local planning authority as proposals which depart from the local development plan and (c) following voluntary referral by the local planning authority; and how many in each category were called in. [42153]
§ Mr. Raynsford[holding answer 18 May 1998]: Information is readily available only in the form set out as follows from 1995 onwards. The approximate total number of planning applications referred to this Department as departures from the local development plan, and the total number of planning applications called in, in each of the years from 1995/96 to 1997/98 are as shown. The figures for departure applications include applications referred under the "Shopping" Directions in the West Midlands and South West Regions. Information on departures for 1992 to 1994 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Year Departures Call-ins 1995–96 1,010 144 1996–97 985 139 1997–98 1,088 147