§ Mr. Ben ChapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy to provide a bias in favour of conservation in future planning legislation. [150026]
§ Ms Beverley HughesOur planning policy guidance note 1 "General Policy and Principles" reflects the Government's commitment to the principles of sustainable development. It advises that a sustainable planning framework should include provision for the nation's economic and social needs while conserving the cultural and natural heritage. Other planning policy guidance notes advise planning authorities on the extent to which they should take conservation issues into account in preparing development plans and in reaching decisions on planning applications. The weight that should be given to conservation issues relative to other material considerations in deciding a planning application is for the planning authority to determine in the first instance and will depend on the circumstances of the particular case.
§ Mr. Ben ChapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 23 January 2001, Official Report, column 528W, if he will review the operation of planning legislation with particular reference to the rights of objectors. [150129]
§ Ms Beverley HughesWe have no immediate plans to change planning laws that would affect the current rights of objectors.
§ Mr. Ben ChapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will issue guidance to local authorities on making public pre-application discussions between planning officers and applicants or their representatives. [150128]
§ Ms Beverley HughesI refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to his previous questions on 13 February 2001,Official Report, column 115W.