asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many planning applications have gone to appeal in 2008; how many went to appeal in 2006 and 2007; and how many of those appeals were won by the appellant in each year. [HL6015]

The table below shows the number of planning appeals determined by the planning inspectorate for the years 2006, 2007 and from 1 January to 30 September 2008, together with the number of appeals that were allowed (won by the appellant) and dismissed in each year.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Andrews on 15 October (WA 53–55), how long the Secretary of State has been in possession of the seven appeals awaiting determination by her; and when, in each case, a final decision is expected. [HL6153]

The period of time that the Secretary of State has been in possession of each of the seven appeals is indicated in the list below:

Somerset County Council—land at Short Drove (11 years); land adjoining Daggs Lane Drove (11 years); land adjoining London Drove (11 years);

Peak District National Park—Smalldale Head Quarry (9 years 11 months);

Staffordshire County Council—Campions Wood Quarry (10 years 11 months);

Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council—Branton Hill Sand and Gravel Pit (9 years 3 months); and

Hertfordshire County Council—Pole Hole Quarry (9 years).

The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Mineral Permissions and Amendment) (England) Regulations 2008 will now allow these appeals to be determined. However, it is currently not possible to make an accurate assessment of when final decisions will be taken on these cases. A range of case-specific factors outside of the Secretary of State's control, including the time taken by the applicant to provide the necessary environmental information, will ultimately determine how long is needed to reach final decisions.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Andrews on 15 October (WA 53–55), how long each of the estimated 42 applications has been waiting for determination by relevant mineral planning authorities; and when final decisions are expected. [HL6154]

The list of applications included with my earlier reply has been updated to reflect further information now available. The updated list is set out below and indicates the period of time applications have been waiting for determination (where that is available) and the date of determination where applicable.

Applications Determined

Dorset County Council—Furzeyground Open Pit (10 years 6 months) (determined 24 June 2008); Aldmoor/Greenspecks Clay Mine (10 years 4 months) (determined 24 June 2008);

Peak District National Park—Shining Bank Quarry (9 years) (determined February 2007); and

Staffordshire County Council—Elford Quarry (9 years 6 months) (determined 27 February 2008).

Applications Outstanding

Cumbria County Council—Hartley Quarry (11 years 10 months);

Dorset County Council—Portland Stone Quarries (10 years 1 month); Binnegar Quarry (2 applications) (10 years 10 months); Warmwell Quarry (3 applications) (10 years 10 months); Masters South Sand Pit (11 years 3 months); Masters North Sand Pit (11 years 3 months); Hyde Sand Pit (11 years 3 months); Arne Open Pit (10 years 10 months);

Oxfordshire County Council—Shenington Quarry (11 years 7 months); Radley-Thrupp Farm (8 years 10 months);

Peak District National Park—Birchover Quarry (10 years 9 months); Canyards Hill Quarry (10 years 2 months); Longstone Edge (eastern section including Backdale Quarry) (11 years 9 months); Shire Hill Quarry (11 years 2 months); Topley Pike Quarry (10 years 9 months); Stanton Moor Quarry (10 years 2 months);

Staffordshire County Council—Apedale South Quarry (10 years 3 months); Keele Quarry (10 years 7 months); Hinksford Lane Quarry (North) (10 years 8 months); Weeford Quarry (10 years 3 months); Alrewas Quarry (9 years 5 months); and

Yorkshire Dales National Park: Horton Quarry (10 years 8 months).

Information on the time that the following applications have been waiting determination by planning authorities is not currently available:

Rotherham Borough Council—Swallownest Brickworks;

Shropshire County Council—Cound Quarry; and

Surrey County Council—Shepperton Pit; Swallow Tiles Quarry; Nutbourne Brickworks; Stanwell Quarries 2 & 3; Mercers & Chilmead Farms.

It has also been established that three applications have been identified that were not included in my earlier reply. These are:

Dorset County Council—Henbury Sand Pit (10 years); Warmwell Airfield (10 years 10 months); and

Peak District National Park—Barton Hill (10 years 2 months).

In addition, further information has revealed that that five applications listed in my earlier reply were not for determination under the 2008 Regulations. These are:

North Somerset Council—Durnsford Quarry, Hyattswood Quarry; and

Peterborough City Council—Bradley Fen Quarry; Bainton Pit; Stanground Quarry.

For the outstanding applications, it is currently not possible to make an accurate assessment of when final decisions will be taken. A range of case-specific factors, including the time taken by the applicant to provide the necessary environmental information, will ultimately determine how long is needed to reach final decisions.