§ 38. Sir PERCY HURDasked the First Commissioner of Works whether he has considered the representations that under the proposed Avebury preservation scheme the scheduling of land is so planned as to deprive owners of much of its present and potential value and infringe their inherent freehold rights; and whether means can be taken to alleviate their position?
§ The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)The object of this planning scheme, which has been framed by the local planning authority in consultation with my Department, is 1623 the protection of the surroundings of Avebury, one of, if not the most important, prehistoric monuments in Great Britain. The scheme, to which I, personally, attach great importance, has been most carefully drawn up so as to interfere as little as possible with the existing user of land, and landowners can, of course, avail themselves of the provisions made for their protection under the Town and Country Planning Act of 1932.
§ Sir P. HURDWhat opportunity will local people have to express and to get some reply to their grievances?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-G0REThe procedure is well known. If an owner objects to the scheme, the Minister of Health holds an inquiry. If a claim for compensation cannot be settled amicably, the owner will go to an official arbitrator. That is the procedure clearly laid down in the Act.