§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he intends to bring forward to clarify planning procedures where the planning authority has a possible conflict of interest over a piece of land. [88176]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe procedures to be followed when a local authority has an interest in land for which a planning application is made are set out in the Town and Country Planning General Regulations 1992, with guidance contained in DOE Circular 19/92. The general principle170W underlying these Regulations is that local authorities must make planning applications in the same way as any other person applying for planning permission. The proposals must be advertised in the usual manner. However, applications may not be determined by a committee or officer responsible for the management of the land or buildings concerned. If it is intended to approve such a proposal, and it is not in accordance with the provisions of the development plan in force in the area, the application must be notified to the Secretary of State so that he can decide whether it should be "called in" for his own determination. We have no evidence to suggest that the procedures are unclear.