HC Deb 21 January 2003 vol 398 cc268-9W
Helen Jones

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he intends to take to ensure that the guidance in PPG3 is complied with following the decision of the Court of Appeal in the case of Rowlinsonv. Warrington borough council. [92328]

Mr. McNulty

It is normally for local planning authorities to determine planning applications made to them. In doing so they are required to take account of all considerations which may be material, including the guidance in Planning Policy Guidance Note 3: `Housing'. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will continue to monitor their performance.

Helen Jones

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he intends to take to protect greenfield sites in areas where a council's committed land supply meets or exceeds regional planning guidance requirements, following the Court of Appeal decision in the case of Rowlinsonv. Warrington Borough Council. [92329]

Mr. McNulty

Planning Policy Guidance Note 3, "Housing", introduced a series of tough new measures designed to meet the country's future housing needs in the most sustainable way possible, including a sequential approach which gives priority to re-using brownfield sites in urban areas in preference to developing greenfield sites. Local planning authorities should revise their plans to take account of the guidance in PPG3 and Regional Planning Guidance, and they should seek to do so as quickly as possible.

In considering planning applications for housing development in the interim, before development plans can be reviewed, local authorities should have regard to the policy contained in PPG3 as material considerations which may supersede the policies in their plan.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is not convinced that it is necessary to issue further advice in the light of the decision in Rowlinson v. Warrington Borough Council, which was determined on the facts of the case.

Helen Jones

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he intends to take to protect greenfield sites in North Warrington, following the recent decision in the case of Rowlinsonv. Warrington Borough Council. [92331]

Mr. McNulty

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister expects the local authority concerned to implement Planning Policy Guidance Note 3, "Housing".