§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will assess the advantages and disadvantages of extending 611W the right of appeal to opponents of planning applications following granting of planning permission by local authorities. [107564]
§ Ms Beverley HughesIt is the responsibility of local planning authorities to act in the general public interest when determining planning applications. They must determine applications in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Such considerations can include views expressed by local residents and other third parties. The scope for third parties to participate fully in the development control process has been increased in recent years, through statutory requirements to consult on the preparation of the development plan and to publicise all planning applications. Local authorities' handling of
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 Number of recommendations rejected 8 6 7 10 8 (Total number of recommendations) (179) (154) (153) (125) (80) Proportion of total recommendations 4% 4% 5% 8% 10% Subject of legal challenge 0 0 0 1 1
§ Mr. TrickettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many times he has made decisions which were at variance with determinations made by the appropriate local planning authority following an appeal hearing, in each of the last five years. [107593]
§ Ms Beverley HughesIn each of the last five years the number of decisions made by the Secretary of State, following a planning appeal which he has recovered, at variance with determinations made by the local planning authority is as follows:
Number 1995 21 1996 20 1997 16 1998 26 1999 12