§ 20. Mr. Snowasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs why appeals against planning decisions by potential smallholders are rejected if the proposed smallholding does not appear to be capable of supporting economically a wholetime operator.
§ Mr. CorfieldThey are not. Although the viability of a proposed smallholding may be a factor to be weighed against the planning objections to a proposal, it is never of itself the reason for dismissing an appeal.
§ Mr. SnowIn that case, can the Minister draw to the attention of his inspectors cases which have arisen in my constituency where perfectly legitimate "in-filling", to use a planning phrase, would appear to be suggested and that it is customary in Staffordshire—and possibly in other parts of the country—for people such as miners, and even agricultural workers, to maintain reasonable holdings of a small size, which provide them with an additional income which is desirable from many points of view?
§ Mr. CorfieldI can assure the hon. Member that the general policy is that this comes into the question only where, despite other planning objec- 402 tions, agricultural need is considered to see whether it is sufficient to override the other planning objections. If the hon. Member would send me particular cases where this has been, or is alleged to be, the sole reason, I shall look into the matter.