§ Mr. Butterfillasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to require that fish farming developments should no longer be exempt from the need for planning permission and that the normal water abstraction licence requirements should apply to such developments.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneWe are already considering restrictions on the extent to which fish farming development can take place without the need for express planning consent as part of our review of the General Development Order 1977. Fish farming for restocking purposes is already subject to water abstraction licence requirements, and we are considering whether any change in these arrangements is needed.