(CB) [V]: Is the Minister
aware of another example of what appears to be a breach of the
guidance on planning propriety, and less than impartial behaviour
by the department? There have been a number of meetings between
Ministers and representatives of the UK
holocaustMemorial Foundation, who are in effect
appealing to the Minister to permit this controversial project. On
29 October, Mr Jenrick met with the co-chair of the foundation and
its QC. The very next day, the foundation, without consulting
Westminster City Council, wrote to the department to ask that the
project be called in—and, within a week, it was. Was there, at this
meeting, any discussion of the application being called in for the
Secretary of State’s own determination?
The Minister of State, Home Office and Ministry of Housing,
Communities and Local Government (Lord Greenhalgh) (Con): I do
not feel that it is appropriate to comment on a live planning
application. I am sure that the Secretary of State followed the
MHCLG guidance on propriety matters in planning absolutely to the
letter and disclosed all that he needed to, in this application
and in all the others that he determined.
(Con) [V]: Following on
from the question asked by the noble Baroness, Lady Deech, I pay
tribute to the holocaust Educational Trust that
some dozen years ago took me on an inspirational yet horrifying
visit to Auschwitz. However, Victoria Tower Gardens is the wrong
place for an educational centre. Again, there is huge local
opposition. It would cause congestion and pollution and destroy a
precious green space in central London. Will the Minister take
back to his department the message that the planning application
should be sent back for local decision-making?
Lord Greenhalgh: I note my noble friend’s point about the
strength of feeling locally about the location of this memorial,
although I will not comment on a specific planning matter. I am
sure that the decision will be determined entirely appropriately
and in line with the department’s guidelines on ministerial
involvement in planning decisions.
