Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government on what basis the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government decides to recover planning appeals by Travellers; how many planning appeals by Travellers are outstanding; what proportion of appeals by Travellers are recovered; and how that figure compares with other ethnic groups.[HL5256]
Answer
The Secretary of State’s policy on the recovery of appeals is set out in the Official Report (30 June 2008, Column 44WS; 1 July 2013, Column 1132WS; and 10 October 2013, Column 3OWS). The most recent statement on the recovery of appeals related to the protection of the Green Belt (17 January 2014, Column 35WS).
As of 6 February 2014 there were 144 Traveller appeals which have yet to be determined. Of these, 57 have been recovered for decision by the Secretary of State. We do not hold information relating to planning appeals by ethnic groups.