HL Deb 18 April 1991 vol 527 cc1554-5

3.18 p.m.

Baroness Nicol asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have considered the establishment of a coastal zone management unit to provide cohesion, advice and support for coastal zone planning.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment (Baroness Blatch)

My Lords, we recognised the importance of coastal zone issues in our recent White Paper on the environment and we made clear our concern for effective coastal zone planning during the passage of the Planning and Compensation Bill. We have, however, no plans to establish a new coastal zone management unit.

Baroness Nicol

My Lords, I thank the Minister for that not unexpected Answer. But is she not aware of the growing concern that exists about the lack of strategic planning in coastal zones? That concern is shared by many organisations, including the National Trust. Local planning authorities have expressed the view that they could be much more effective if they had jurisdiction over adjacent coastal waters so that the coastal zone could be treated as a single unit for planning purposes. When I referred to this matter during the passage of the Bill the Minister has just referred to, she said that the Government were contemplating a review. Can she say how far matters have progressed with that review? Is it taking place, and when can we expect some results from it?

Baroness Blatch

My Lords, during the course of the planning Bill I said that there would be policy planning guidance. A review is being commissioned under the planning research programme of relevant published material on coastal planning and management. It will review powers, policies and actions for the planning, management and conservation of the coastal zone. It is part of a larger research programme on earth science information requirements for supporting coastal planning management. Research is also in progress on planning policy on climate change which considers the effect of rising sea levels.

Lord Campbell of Croy

My Lords, will the Government nonetheless re-examine the present situation? Technicalities affecting the shoreline usually mean that private legislation is required even when all the necessary planning permission has been granted. Does my noble friend accept that that means that there is a disincentive for worthwhile projects of renewal and enhancement because of the cost and uncertainty of embarking on private legislation?

Baroness Blatch

My Lords, I can confirm to my noble friend that a number of organisations have put forward positive proposals and made their views known to the Government about the direction and scope of coastal policy. My ministerial colleagues are meeting delegations from several such organisations, such as Wildlife Link, the United Kingdom Centre for Economic and Environmental Development and the Royal Society of Arts. They will be discussing many of those policies. We intend to give very careful consideration to all the proposals that are put to us before reaching a view.