THIRTEENTH REPORT
The Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs
Committee has agreed to the following Report:—
THE PLANNING INSPECTORATE AND PUBLIC INQUIRIES
Introduction
1. The work of the Planning Inspectorate covers planning,
environment, highways, housing and allied legislation. It plays
a vital role in applying Government policy when dealing with appeals
and other casework, including resolving disputes between individuals
and public authorities. The range of its work, and the decision
making powers of its Inspectors, make the Inspectorate a powerful
institution. It is arguably more important now than at any time
in its history. The Environment Sub-committee resolved to hold
a short inquiry into the work of the Planning Inspectorate and
also to consider some aspects of public inquiries. The terms of
reference for our inquiry were:
- the relationship between the Inspectorate's internal
targets and the quality of the decisions made;
- the consistency of decisions made;
- the relationship between the Inspectorate and
Government Offices;
- the ability of the Inspectorate to adjust to
changing workloads, including the use of new technology and the
volume of Local Plan Inquiries;
- the treatment of complaints to the Inspectorate;
- the impact of human rights legislation;
- recruitment, training and equal opportunities
- publicising public inquiries;
- assistance for parties to inquiries;
- compliance with timetables;
- the availability of assessors for specialist
inquiries.
2. We wish to express our gratitude to all those
who submitted written evidence to the Inquiry and the organisations
and individuals who attended to give oral evidence to the Sub-committee.
We also thank the Planning Inspectorate for its co-operation and
assistance throughout the course of the inquiry. We were ably
and enthusiastically informed by our two advisers, Richard Bate
of Green Balance and John Popham. We extend our thanks to both
of them for their time and effort.
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