Urgent Question on public confidence in the probity of the planning process

The Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government), Christpher Pincher, responded to an urgent question on public confidence in the probity of the planning process today in the Commons chamber.

Christopher Pincher: "Government is committed to maintaining public confidence."

The Minister began by telling the House that, “this Government is committed to maintaining public confidence in the probity of the planning process at all levels. Including the Secretary of State's role in deciding called in planning applications and recovered appeals.”

Mr Pincher told the House that Parliament has through the planning acts “dedicated to local planning authorities the powers to determine things at their level.” Mr Pincher added however that “Parliament has also created provisions where a small proportion of cases are determined by central government.”

Mr Pincher explained that the criteria for use of these powers can be found in the written ministerial statement of June 2008.

He added, “the small number of cases that are referred to planning ministers for determination are often amongst the most controversial in the planning system.”

Steve Reed: "full transparency over his unlawful decision."

Responding on behalf of the opposition, the Shadow Secretary for Communities and Local Government, Steve Reed, said:

“The Secretary of State will not have the public confidence he needs to overhaul the planning system until we have full transparency over his unlawful decision to force through the Westferry development.”

The Shadow Secretary told the House that Mr Jenrick gave consent to the scheme “in the teeth of opposition from Tower Hamlets council and his own planning inspector, who both considered the scheme oversized and lacking affordable housing.”

Mr Reed added that:

“When Tower Hamlets took out a judicial review to challenge the Secretary of State, he took the extraordinary step of admitting his decision was unlawful because of apparent bias. That meant he avoided publishing all correspondence revealing the true reasons behind his decision in open court.”

Mr Reed went on to tell the House that the developer Norman and Shell is owned by “the billionaire Conservative party donor Richard Desmond” who “admits they had discussed the scheme.”

The Shadow Secretary added that the ministerial code requires ministers to act with integrity, and asked if the Secretary of State had disclosed his conversation with Mr Desmond to the Department before he granted permission.

Image: UK Parliament

Find out more

• Watch Parliament TV: Urgent question: If the Secretary of State for Housing will make a statement on the need to maintain public confidence in the probity of the planning process and his quasi-judicial role in these matters.
• Transcripts of proceedings in the House of Commons Chamber are available in Hansard online three hours after they happen.

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