Mid Bedfordshire MP Blake Stephenson (Conservative) told the House of Commons yesterday that he only found out planning permission had been granted for the new Universal theme park in his constituency after seeing a letter posted on another MP’s Facebook page.
Mr Stephenson raised a point of order yesterday (Tuesday), explaining that Bedford & Kempston MP Mohammad Yasin (Labour) had shared a letter from the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government confirming approval for the Universal project.
Read: Green light given for Bedford Universal Studios theme park
Just hours after the announcement, he said he had not been informed of the decision, despite the theme park being entirely within his Mid Bedfordshire constituency.
He told the Commons, “This morning I received notification by the Facebook page of the honourable member for Bedford, that the planning for the Universal UK theme park, which is located wholly within my constituency of Mid Bedfordshire, has been approved.
“The honourable member for Bedford shared a letter that he had received from the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government. Subsequent to notifying the Secretary of State about this point of order, I have also received a letter.
“But could you advise, please, Madam Deputy Speaker, whether it is appropriate for ministers to provide notification of a planning approval in a member’s constituency to the neighbouring Labour MP, but not the member themselves?”
Courtesy
Responding from the chair, Deputy Speaker Caroline Nokes said there was no specific House of Commons rule on notifications about planning consents, but reminded ministers of the usual convention.
She said: “I am grateful for the honourable member for giving notice of his point of order, and for his information that he’s informed the Secretary of State that he intended to raise this matter.
“There is no specific rule or convention of the house that I’m aware of relating to notification or planning consents.
“But as a general principle, if a minister is informing honourable members of a development of any kind, then, as a courtesy, they should include the honourable member in whose constituency the development is to take place.”
Minister apologises
Read: Universal theme park chief thanks Bedford for support after government green light
Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook confirmed that Mr Stephenson should have been notified and that the department had made a mistake.
He told MPs, “Madam Deputy Speaker, just simply to say, it sounds like there was an error made by the Department, and for that, I sincerely apologise, and I will ensure and discuss with both ministers and officials to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
After the Commons exchange, Mr Stephenson posted a statement on social media welcoming the Universal decision but criticising the way he had been informed.
He wrote that the news was “fantastic”, but added, “It was disappointing that the Government did not inform me about Universal Studios being granted planning permission this morning, as per general principles.
“It’s important that processes are followed properly, and with the project being based in the Mid Bedfordshire constituency, it will have a large impact on my constituents, so I would have expected to have been informed before it was announced publicly.
“I’m pleased that the Minister has apologised for the mistake, and look forward to working with the Government going forward to ensure the project delivers for people in Mid Bedfordshire.”
The government has already confirmed that planning permission for the Universal entertainment resort at Kempston Hardwick has been granted by a Special Development Order, with the project expected to bring thousands of jobs and major transport upgrades to the area.
