HC Deb 11 February 2002 vol 380 cc31-2W
Mr. Kidney

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated to determine the developmental benefits will accrue from his proposed planning tariff system. [35072]

Ms Keeble

The Government propose that planning obligations should be refocused to deliver sustainable development and used as a mechanism to ensure that development provides social, economic and environmental benefits to the community as a whole. This proposal has not been explicitly researched.

Mr. Kidney

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much he projects will be raised by local authorities through the operation of his proposed planning tariff system. [35073]

Ms Keeble

The consultation document "Planning obligations: delivering a fundamental change" proposes that a tariff should replace negotiated planning obligations in most circumstances and offers a number of options about how a tariff might be levied. The value of the tariff to each local authority will depend upon the precise workings of the tariff—to be determined in the light of the consultation—a local authority's policies in respect of levying the tariff, and the volume and value of development taking place in its area.