§ Mr. BurdenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to make an announcement on the Arena Central Regeneration Project in Birmingham. [106978]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe Government have set a target for deciding called-in planning applications within 13 weeks of receipt of the Inspector's Report following the local inquiry. In this case the primary target for decision was 4 January 2000. Although the Secretary of State has not been able to complete his consideration of all the issues raised by this proposal within the primary target, the Government do fully recognise the importance of speedy decisions for the local economy. I therefore expect to be able to issue a decision within the secondary target of 22 February.