HL Deb 11 December 2001 vol 629 cc187-8WA
Lord Faulkner of Worcester

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they will announce their decision relating to the planning application by Safeway plc on land at Plough Lane, London SW 19; and what has been the reason for the delay of over a year since their inspector concluded his report and submitted it. [HL1807]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

The decision to refuse planning permission for mixed use development by Safeway plc on land at Plough Lane, London SW19 was issued on 6 December 2001. The public inquiry into this called in planning application closed on 27 September 2000. The inspector's report was received by the Government Office (GOL) for London on 1 February 2001. GOL's target for issuing a decision was 20 June 2001. The issues involved in the case were complex and a detailed examination was warranted. It should not have taken so long. As the noble Lord will be aware, we plan to issue a Green Paper on the future of the planning system very shortly and we shall be looking closely at ways to speed up the process.