HC Deb 19 May 1982 vol 24 cc348-9
21. Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to legislate to protect the landscape in England and Wales more effectively.

Mr. Macfarlane

No, Sir. The provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and other countryside and planning legislation offer adequate safeguards for landscape conservation.

Mr. Hardy

As the pace of change is rather more ruinous than the Government appear to be ready to acknowledge, and as the Government seem to be acting on a complacent assumption, as revealed by their disgraceful blocking of the Hedgerows Bill, will the Minister agree at least to convene a meeting of the conservation bodies, especially the informed and responsible bodies, to discuss whether the changes proposed can be considered?

Mr. Macfarlane

Progress is best achieved through co-operation with the farming community, including the use of management agreements, as provided for in the Wildlife and Countryside Act. The Countryside Commission is currently engaged in several initiatives to promote hat approach. We must give it a chance to succeed, but knowing the concern that the hon. Gentleman has expressed to me, I shall discuss the matter with the chairman of the Countryside Commission.

Mr. Murphy

Will my hon. Friend confirm that in all planning applications that are referred to the Department of the Environment the importance of preserving our natural heritage is always given high priority?

Mr. Macfarlane

I give that assurance. It is always uppermost in my right hon. Friend's mind.

Mr. Denis Howell

Is the Minister aware that the cooperation for which he has asked is not occurring between the farmers and the Nature Conservancy Council in the case of West Sedgemoor, where 40 to 50 acres of land have been drained, resulting in a large threat to wildlife, especially otters? As the Nature Conservancy Council will not act and there is no sign of a declaration of a site of special scientific interest, will the Minister involve himself in the matter, because it is of great importance to the nation?

Mr. Macfarlane

I give that undertaking to the House. I and my ministerial colleagues in other Departments are well aware of the problem and we are in touch with the interested parties.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

Is my hon. Friend aware that there is deep anxiety about this subject and that Government bodies such as the Nature Conservancy Council do not always represent the best interests of our natural heritage? I refer to the problems at Alderley Edge and a commercial decision to try to open the old copper mines, which will be a great disadvantage environmentally to all of that beautiful area of Cheshire.

Mr. Macfarlane

My hon. Friend has drawn the matter to my attention. Perhaps he will give me further details and I shall examine it.