asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what were his reasons for issuing a holding order to East Cambridgeshire district council relating to a planning application to build 63 homes on open land next to Ely cathedral; and what further action he proposes in this matter.

A direction under article 10 of the Town and Country Planning General Development Order 1977 was issued in order to enable me to consider whether the application should be called in for my own determination, or left to the local planning authority to decide. I shall let the hon. Member know what I decide.