§ 9. Dr. Glynasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is aware of the concern expressed by the electors and the Council of the Windsor Rural District that there should be no alteration of the existing Ascot Town Map which would involve use of Green Belt land for development; and whether he will undertake to support proposals to maintain the existing Green Belt in that area.
§ The Minister for Local Government and Development (Mr. Graham Page)I am aware of local concern about pressure for development in the Ascot area. There is no proposal before my right hon. Friend to alter the existing town map. As elsewhere in the approved 1248 metropolitan green belt, there is a strong presumption against permitting the development of green belt land except for purposes appropriate to a rural area. But my right hon. Friend cannot prejudge any decisions on individual cases which may come before him on appeal; each must be considered on its merits.
§ Dr. GlynIs my hon. Friend aware that further development in the green belt could have the effect of converting what is essentially, in his own words, a rural constituency into an urban sprawl? Secondly, is he aware that the result of circular 10/70, issued by his right hon. Friend, has been a large number of applications by developers to use green belt land quite wrongly? Finally, will he give an indication that when he is looking at the proposals before him he will bear strongly in mind the necessity of preserving the green belt, and also for having regard to the wishes of the local planning authority?
§ Mr. PageYes, Sir; one has to balance the desire for making land available for building with the protection of the green belt. Circular 10/70 emphasises the need to avoid harm to the green belt. There will be no change in our policy of allowing development in the green belt only in very special circumstances.