HC Deb 26 February 2004 vol 418 cc556-7W
Dr. Evan Harris

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the reasons were for the delay between the Government Office for the South-East informing the Vale of White Horse district council that its decision to permit the development in the case of the planning application (SUN/2963/11 or GOSE/103/3/VALE/29) for residential development on the Foxcombe Road site of the old Warnborough College on Boars Hill, near Oxford, was in breach of direction from the Secretary of State and his direction that the planning permission be referred to him. [156051]

Keith Hill

The 'decision' of the Vale of White Horse district council to 'grant' planning permission in December 1999, despite an Article 14 holding direction being in place, related to a previous application (SUN/2963/9), which was called in February 2000 but was subsequently withdrawn after the court action concerning the validity of the 'permission' was resolved in October 2000. Application SUN/2963/11 was referred to the Government Office of the South East on 13 December 2000 and called in on 19 February 2001.

Dr. Evan Harris

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he has taken to amend his procedures following his submission to judgments in the High Court in April 2002 and September 2003 in the case of the planning application (SUN/2963/11 or GOSE/103/3/VALE/29) for residential development on the Foxcombe Road site of the old Warnborough College on Boars Hill, near Oxford. [156052]

Keith Hill

This particular case is unusual in its protracted nature. It is not considered necessary to amend the procedures and it is considered unlikely that this case would set a precedent for others. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will of course keep this under review.

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