HC Deb 16 February 1989 vol 147 cc479-80
8. Mr. David Nicholson

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what he is doing to help farmers address the planning implications of diversification projects.

Mr. MacGregor

Last month we published a guide written especially for farmers, entitled "Planning Permission and the Farmer". This was prepared jointly by my Ministry, the Department of the Environment and the Welsh Office. This guide explains how the planning system works; describes how to find out whether or not a project is likely to need planning permission; and gives advice on how to present a case to planning authorities. I hope that it will be helpful to farmers.

Mr. Nicholson

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. Does he agree that farmers seeking to establish farm shops and other businesses would benefit if clearer and more consistent guidance were available to planning authorities?

What advice does my right hon. Friend have for Mr. Tom Morris of East Lydeard farm in my constituency, who has established a cricket pitch and a pick-your-ownstrawberries patch on his land—which will benefit families visiting the farm—but who is now facing difficulty from the county surveyor over signposting his new business?

Mr. MacGregor

I assure my hon. Friend that I am well aware that planning issues are becoming a major concern in connection with farm diversification. That is why I, my hon. Friends and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment have not only given guidance to planning authorities to take into account the new situation in agriculture and the need to diversify, but are going round the country urging them to do so.

I recommend the guide to farmers—especially Mr. Morris—because I believe that they will find that it contains a great deal of helpful advice about how to deal with the planning system, very often for the first time. With regard to the signposting, I would ask my hon. Friend to draw Mr. Morris's attention to annex D of this document.

Mr. Boswell

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the attitudes of planning authorities vary in different parts of the country? Will he and his colleagues do their best to ensure that those who are now acting as nimbys join the others that take a more positive attitude to rural diversification and similar developments?

Mr. MacGregor

I agree with my hon. Friend and I would wish to do so. It is fair to say, however, that many planning authorities are taking a much more constructive approach than they perhaps did in the past. They recognise that—wherever the planning and environmental considerations can be met—it is highly desirable that diversification takes place in the interests of rural employment and prosperity.