§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on what grounds Government Departments may disregard the Worcestershire Structure Plan when considering the location of a new facility built by departments or their agencies; and if he will make a statement. [33063]
§ Ms KeebleThe non-statutory procedures set out in DOE circular 18/84 that deal with development by Crown bodies make it clear that if any development proposal would constitute a departure from the development plan, it must be dealt with like an application for planning permission for similar development and be subject to the same arrangements for advertisement and notification to my Department. If the Secretary of State decides that the proposal should be the subject of a non-statutory public inquiry and subsequent consideration by him, the local planning authority will be informed. The development plan comprises both the adopted structure plan and the local plan where applicable.