Beith raises Tweedmouth retail applications with Minister

10.45.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 23rd May 2006

Alan Beith MP has asked the Government to call in the application for a massive retail development in Tweedmouth.

In a question to the Minister, Alan asked for the application by the Kilmartin Group to be considered alongside other major retail developments already proposed for Berwick and Tweedmouth.

Yvette Cooper, Minister for Communities and Local Government, answered that a decision will be taken soon over whether the application should be called in. In the meantime, she said that Berwick Borough Council "has been directed not to grant planning permission for the proposed development without further authorisation from the Secretary of State."

Alan Beith said,

"I believe there should be a public inquiry, given the number of retail applications for Berwick which have been made."

From the House of Commons Hansard, 16 May 2006, Column 925W et seq.:

Kilmartin Property Group

Mr. Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will call in

[16 May 2006 : Column 926W] the application by Kilmartin Property Group for a retail development in Tweedmouth, Berwick-upon-Tweed, for consideration alongside the other major retail applications in Berwick-upon-Tweed which she has already called in. [68909]

Yvette Cooper [holding answer 9 May 2006]: My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, is already giving very careful consideration to whether she should intervene in the application by Kilmartin Property Group for retail development at Ord Road, Tweedmouth.

The local planning authority, Berwick-upon-Tweed borough council, consulted the Secretary of State on 19 April 2006 in accordance with her Shopping Direction. She expects to make a decision in the very near future on whether to intervene, taking her policy on calling-in planning applications into account. In the meantime, the council has been directed not to grant planning permission for the proposed development without further authorisation from the Secretary of State.

I shall ensure that the right hon. Member is notified of the decision.