§ Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he plans that English Nature should remain a statutory consultee on proposed regional spatial strategies, local development frameworks, action plans and planning applications; and if he will make a statement. [29898]
§ Ms KeebleThe consultation paper "Planning: Delivering a Fundamental Change" sets out the Government's proposals to overhaul the planning system. One option proposed is to clarify the status of statutory consultees and reduce their number. Decisions about which bodies might be in future be statutory consultees will be made in the light of consultation.