§ 12. Sir John Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government regarding the siting of motorway service areas in green belts.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneThe general presumption against development in the green belt is not affected by motorways, and there should continue to be the strongest restraint on development. However, once the decision has been taken to construct a motorway it will from time to time be necessary to consider whether there is a case to provide adequate ancillary services for motorway traffic. If such provision is proposed in the green belt, the case for an exception to policy will have to be argued fully in 1033 consultation with the local planning authorities concerned, under the provisions of Department of the Environment circular 7/77.
§ Sir John Biggs-DavisonWill the Government keep particularly in mind the importance of the sanctity of the green belt in making these decisions on the siting of motorway service areas?
§ Mr. MacfarlaneWe have no general presumption against that, but motorways and motorway service areas do not affect the general presumption against development in the green belt, and there should continue to be the strongest constraint on such development. I am well aware of the problem facing my hon. Friend in his constituency, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport wall be writing to him.
§ Mr. Tony BanksHas the Minister had an opportunity to re-think the Government's proposals for the London green belt, and perhaps change his mind with regard to the breaking up of the 11,000 acres which the Greater London council currently owns in green belt land and giving it to the boroughs and districts, because frankly that does not look as though it is going to work, and it needs to be a unitary authority. The GLC has done a good service in this respect.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneI do not accept the latter observation of the hon. Gentleman. Indeed, the all-party Select Committee came out against that in its observations. The matter is now under consultation, which the hon. Gentleman well knows.
§ Mr. HanleyDoes my hon. Friend agree that full use of the M25 will assist the local environment in urban and rural areas. and that an adequate system of motorway service stations on the M25 will save many drivers, perhaps thousands, wandering round green belt areas trying to find food and petrol?
§ Mr. MacfarlaneI am sure that my hon. Friend has put matters in the order which interests him most of all. I will certainly draw the comments of my hon. Friend to the attention of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport.