HC Deb 12 June 2000 vol 351 cc437-8W
Mr. Dismore

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what conclusions he has reached following the consultation exercise on the detailed arrangements for strategic planning in London; and if he will make a statement. [125732]

Mr. Hill

The Mayor of London will assume responsibility for strategic planning matters in the capital on 3 July 2000. The main elements and principles of the new planning arrangements are incorporated in the Greater London Authority Act 1999. In January the Government issued, for consultation, a draft circular and statutory instruments setting out detailed aspects of the new arrangements. A copy of the consultation responses has been placed in the Library of each House of Parliament and is also available for inspection at the Government Office for London.

Following careful consideration of the responses received, we have decided that no significant changes are needed to the detailed arrangements, but some revisions have been made, mainly to provide additional clarification of the Governments proposals.

I am pleased to announce that the Town and Country Planning (London Spatial Development Strategy) Regulations 2000 and the Town and Country Planning (Mayor of London) Order 2000 have been laid in both Houses of Parliament. Both the Regulations and the Order will come into force on 3 July.

I am also pleased to announce the publication of the Government Office for London Circular 1/2000 "Strategic Planning in London". The Town and Country Planning (London Spatial Development Strategy) Regulations 2000 These Regulations set out the minimum supplementary statutory procedures that the Mayor will have to follow when preparing the Spatial Development Strategy (SDS). They cover aspects such as the form and content of the SDS, consultation and publicity procedures, the availability of documents and the examination in public. A regulatory impact assessment has been prepared and copies can be obtained from the Government Office for London and a copy has been placed in the Library of each House of Parliament. The Town and Country Planning (Mayor of London) Order 2000 This Order details the statutory procedures for notifying the Mayor of planning applications of potential strategic importance, and the associated power to direct refusal of planning permission. A regulatory impact assessment has been prepared and copies can be obtained from the Government Office for London and a copy has been placed in the Library of each House of Parliament. Government Office for London Circular 1/2000—Strategic Planning in London The circular explains and gives guidance to the Mayor and others on the operation of the new arrangements set out in the Act and the two statutory instruments. The circular provides guidance on the purpose, scope and format of the Spatial Development Strategy. It explains the procedures for its production and advises on the implications for boroughs and others. It also gives guidance on the Mayor's role in planning applications and in representing London's planning interests.