§ Paddy TippingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many public inquiries into planning applications have lasted more than(a) one month and (b) three months in each of the last five years. [17356]
§ Ms Keeble[holding answer 27 November 2001]: Public inquiries are presided over by Inspectors provided by the Planning Inspectorate. I have asked the Inspectorate's Chief Executive, Mr. Chris Shepley, to write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from C. J. Shepley to Paddy Tipping dated 28 November 2001:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your Question about the number of long planning inquiries over the last five years.942WWhilst the Inspectorate provides Inspectors for Public Inquiries into called-in planning applications as well as for planning appeals, until recently we have been reliant on information supplied by others with regard to Secretary of State decisions issued and inquiry duration. Unfortunately this information has not always been forthcoming. For example, of 73 such decisions that we know of in only 10 cases do we know the number of sitting days of the inquiry.From the information that we do have, the number of called-in applications or planning appeals decided following an inquiry of 1 month or more were
Year decision issued Cases where inquiry sat for between and 59 days 20 days (1 month) Cases where inquiry sat for 60 days (3 months) or more 1996 8 6 1997 13 6 1998 4 0 1999 13 0 2000 0 0 2001 (to date) 8 2