Planning Appeals

Oral Answers to Questions — Local Government – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 24 June 1969.

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Photo of Mr Alistair Macdonald Mr Alistair Macdonald , Chislehurst 12:00, 24 June 1969

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many planning appeals have been transferred to inspectors for decision under the provisions of Part III of the Town and Country Planning Act 1968.

Photo of Mr Arthur Skeffington Mr Arthur Skeffington , Hayes and Harlington

Up to 16th June, 878 planning appeals had been transferred to inspectors for decision.

Photo of Mr Alistair Macdonald Mr Alistair Macdonald , Chislehurst

Does not every one of these transfers mean that a decision by democratically elected local councillors is subject to overthrow by a bureaucrat? Is not this a melancholy feature of an otherwise excellent Act? Can the Minister ensure that the only appeals so transferred are those where the original decision was delegated by councillors to their officers, which they are empowered by the Act to do, though I hope that they do not delegate any decisions?

Photo of Mr Arthur Skeffington Mr Arthur Skeffington , Hayes and Harlington

During all the stages of the Town and Country Planning Bill we had lengthy discussions about this procedure. I thought that this system had been generally welcomed as providing both speed and an independent arbitrator in a case where a citizen was displeased. It is early to judge yet, but so far we have no reason to believe that this scheme is either undemocratic or in any way unfair. The Minister always has the right to recall any appeals if he believes that there is some outstanding issue which should be determined by a higher authority.