HL Deb 07 September 2004 vol 664 cc154-6WA
Baroness Byford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What plans they have for ensuring that rural diversification is carried out in such a way as to contribute to the character of the countryside and enhance its tranquillity. [HL3998]

Lord Whitty

The planning system is the main mechanism for ensuring that development in the countryside is appropriate to its surroundings. A Written Ministerial Statement was made by my right honourable friend the Minister for Housing and Planning (Mr Keith Hill) on 22 July to the effect that the Government will be publishing a new planning policy statement (PPS7) on sustainable development in rural areas in August. The document strikes a balance between the need to enhance and protect the character and tranquillity of the countryside and the need to support rural economies and communities through diversification. PPS7 will set out clear advice for local planning authorities on setting criteria for acceptable farm or other rural diversification measures. Diversification in respect of tourism and other business is promoted by Defra with partners such as the Regional Development Agency and others, with a careful eye on the three elements of sustainable development:

  1. 1. the environmental (including considerations such as biodiversity, landscape etc);
  2. 2. social issues including the needs of local communities;
  3. 3. economic considerations with a particular focus on disadvantage or underperformance and the needs of lagging rural economies.

Defra's rural strategy 2004 shows the care with which we seek to integrate and balance these considerations.