§ Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information is available to him as to the damage which has taken place to the site of special scientific interest in Ripon park, North Yorkshire, and to the steps taken by the Nature Conservancy Council to protect the site.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneI understand that on 24 March 1982 the Nature Conservancy Council gave notice under section 28 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act of its intention to notify an owner of Ripon park, North Yorkshire, as a site of special scientific interest. Those informed have until 30 June 1982 to make any representations or objections to the proposed notification. The land concerned is leased by the Ministry of Defence and let by the Property Services Agency on its behalf in three agricultural tenancies. On or around 10 May 1982 one of the tenants ploughed 16 acres of meadowland within the proposed SSSI and applied fertiliser to other areas, thus destroying the scientific interest.
§ Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if the Property Services Agency took any steps to protect the site of special scientific interest at Ripon park, North Yorkshire.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneThe Nature Conservancy Council has advised the Property Services Agency of its intention to give notification of an area of special scientific interest at Ripon park.
The Ministry of Defence, for which the PSA manages this land as agent, has until 30 June 1982 to make representations or objections.