HC Deb 12 November 1968 vol 773 cc191-2
8. Mr. Lubbock

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what study he has made of the views of local authority associations about the control of agricultural buildings; and if he will amend the General Development Order 1963 to give local authorities tighter control.

Mr. K. Robinson

The views of the local authority associations are being studied as part of a general review of the General Development Order. If there were any question of an amendment affecting agricultural buildings, the farming interests would, of course, be consulted.

Mr. Lubbock

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the general view of the local authority associations, to which I have drawn his attention, is that the con trol of agricultural development is adequate and that, as the Rural District Councils Association said, the amendments on height and square footage do not adequately cater for the broiler houses and intensive pig-rearing houses, which are now being erected? Will he take account of these representations, and amend the Order accordingly?

Mr. Robinson

I do not know whether the hon. Gentleman knows that I have written to him at some length upon this matter. One of the things we must do is to get co-operation between the interests involved. A conference was convened last week, under the Chairman of the Countryside Commission, as a first step in this direction.