Marinas: Siting (Hansard, 23 May 1990)

§ Viscount Davidson
My Lords, the Government believe that it should be chiefly for those who wish to develop marinas to decide where to site them, subject always to their obtaining any necessary planning permission. They would also need either to have or to obtain the necessary statutory powers and to satisfy any other statutory requirements such as those in the Coast Protection Act 1949.

§ Baroness Nicol
My Lords, I thank the Minister for his Answer. Does he not agree that there is increasing pressure for development on the coastline of England and Wales and of ten in areas of natural beauty and of wildlife importance? In view of the fact that the last review of coastal development was carried out in 1960, and that 28 further sites have been identified by the Welsh Tourist Board as being suitable for development, do the Government not agree that there is a need for a major review of the coastal conservation policy throughout England and Wales?

§ Viscount Davidson
My Lords, the Government believe that these are matters for the local planning authorities. I am sure that they are well aware of their responsibilities. In addition, where powers to construct a marina are being sought by means of a harbour revision order, my right honourable friend may require an environmental assessment to be carried out. Where such powers are sought by means of a Private Bill as I am sure the noble Baroness knows, objectors may petition against a Bill on environmental or other grounds. I see no case for 902 the Government to seek to impose a strategy for marinas on those wishing to develop them.

§ Lord Parry
My Lords, while not wishing in any sense to cut across the Question asked by my noble friend Baroness Nicol, perhaps I may ask this question. Is the Minister aware that 12 years ago the Welsh Tourist Board undertook a survey of the ports and harbours of Wales in order to identify those which most suitably, and with the agreement of their communities, would provide marina facilities to the advantage of the nation and its economy? Is the noble Viscount aware that a number of those developments have been carried out satisfactorily? My noble friend is quite right in pointing out the danger if matters are left to the whim of the developer. If control slips from the developing authority, we can have a situation in this country where there are too many marinas which are badly controlled. At the moment the development is successful, but we have to take care.

§ Viscount Davidson
My Lords, I agree that there can be problems over developments. However, the local planning authorities will be aware of these far in advance of the Government.

§ Lord Moran
My Lords, is the Welsh office yet in a position to respond to the conclusions of a seminar which was held in April 1989 by the environmental study group of the Prince of Wales Committee under my chairmanship which studied coastal and estuarial development in Wales? Is the noble Viscount aware that the committee concluded that local planning mechanisms were not adequate to reconcile social, economic and environmental questions, and that it suggested that there should be strategic, regional guidance from the Welsh office?

§ Viscount Davidson
My Lords, I shall certainly look into the matter and write to the noble Lord.

Lord Campbell of Croy
My Lords, I note that Scotland is also included in this Question. Is my noble friend aware that some suitable schemes carried out in places where they will not obtrude on the environment enable sea defences to be renewed against storms and flood; sewage treatment works to be improved; and the dereliction of our coast to be repaired? Is my noble friend further aware that those measures enable private finance to be introduced to help where public funds from both central and local government are either scarce or not available at all?

§ Viscount Davidson
My Lords, my noble friend makes a very valid point.

§ Lord Underhill
My Lords, does the Minister not agree that his answers indicate that the development of marinas is both indiscriminate and piecemeal? Will he confirm that the promised White Paper on environmental problems will include a policy dealing with coastal conservation? It appears from the questions asked by noble Lords that the development of marinas brings both benefits and serious problems.

§ Viscount Davidson
My Lords, the regional councils for sport and recreation which consist of representatives from local authorities and recreational interests, may include the siting of marinas in the regional strategy documents which they prepare for the Sports Council. I repeat that these issues are for the individual planning authorities involved in the handling of the specific cases locally.

§ Lord Molloy
My Lords, is the noble Viscount aware that his statement that coastal conservation will be given serious consideration is very much welcomed? On the other hand, does the Minister not agree that it is necessary for the kind of marinas that may be built to be built in the best of taste and be classical in design? A good example of a marina meeting all those requisites is contained in the remarkable marina that is being constructed in the city of Swansea.

§ Viscount Davidson
My Lords, I am sure that the noble Lord knows more about that than I do. The choice of sites for development depends primarily on the commercial judgment of the developers. I repeat that the developments are subject to planning and other statutory safeguards.

§ Lord Monkswell
My Lords, the House will welcome the Government's statement that planning regulations are adequate to deal with the siting and construction of marinas. Will the Government comment on the procedure of the use of Private Bills going through Parliament to facilitate the construction of marinas?

§ Viscount Davidson
No, my Lords.

§ Lord Beloff
My Lords, I have the good fortune to live near a marina. Does my noble friend the Minister not agree that one of the great pleasures that affords is to be able to watch people working hard on their boats and then going to sea without having to do either of those things?

§ Viscount Davidson
My Lords, I am sure that my noble friend is very fortunate.