Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what criteria his Department uses to call in major planning applications in London.

The Secretary of State’s approach to calling in planning applications in England is set out in various Written Ministerial Statements to this House in particular on 26 October 2012 (column 72WS). The Written Ministerial Statement states that the “Secretary of State will, in general, only consider the use of his call in powers if planning issues of more than local importance are involved”. The Written Ministerial Statement sets out examples of reasons why applications could be called in such as the application may conflict with national policies on important matters or could have significant effects beyond their immediate locality. However, each case will continue to be considered on its individual merits.