House of Commons Debates 15 July 2010
Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con): What
recent representations he has received on the effects on local authorities of
the abolition of regional spatial strategies. [8522]
The Minister of State, Department for Communities and
Local Government (Greg Clark): I have received a large number of
letters and e-mails, the vast majority of which have welcomed the end of
top-down targets and the return of planning decisions to local communities so
that they can shape their own areas.
Harriett Baldwin: I thank the Minister on
behalf of residents in West Worcestershire. I can assure him that councillors
in my local area feel the same way. What advice would he give to them about
developers who are now taking things that were rejected on the basis of the
Pickles letter to appeal to the Planning Inspectorate?
Greg Clark: The Planning Inspectorate has
received guidance that the policy of the Government is clear and needs to be
taken into account in planning appeals.
Mr Speaker: Order. It is best on the whole to
refer not to the Pickles letter but to the Secretary of State's letter, and
that is I think how we will do it.