HC Deb 10 February 1981 vol 998 cc312-3W
Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many cases have been brought to his notice where a landowner or occupier has destroyed a site of special scientific interest in order to seek to induce a local authority to grant permission for development.

Mr. Monro

I know of no such case.

Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in the Official Report the statutory provisions which confer upon him the capacity to protect sites of special scientific interest or any other areas of important conservation interest.

Mr. Monro

My right hon. Friend has power to make article 4 and article 10 directions under the Town and Country Planning General Development Order 1977, and to call in planning applications where appropriate—section 35 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971. He also has default powers to revoke or modify a planning permission which has already been granted—section 276 of the 1971 Act.

Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what powers are available to him or to local authorities, or other statutory bodies to prevent a landowner or occupier from destroying a site of special scientific interest in order to induce a local planning authority to grant permission.

Mr. Monro

There is nothing to prevent a landowner or occupier from carrying out on his land and at his own expense any work which is not subject to planning permission. My right hon. Friend and local planning authorities, however, have power to make an article 4 direction where an SSS1 is believed to be threatened by operations which are permitted by the general development order.

Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he proposes to take in connection with the destruction of a part of a designated site of special scientific interest at plot 334 on the Catcott Mere and Street Heath site in Somerset.

Mr. Monro

I am advised that the scientific value of the land in question has not been destroyed. My right hon. Friend has issued an article 10 direction in respect of, and is considering whether to call in, the relevant planning application.