HL Deb 01 August 1984 vol 455 cc864-5WA
Lord Melchett

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In how many instances (a) in England, (b) in Wales, (c) in Scotland the Nature Conservancy Council has objected to the giving of agricultural grants which have damaged or destroyed an SSSI since the present administrative arrangements were introduced in October 1980.

Lord Belstead

The objective of the notification arrangements under the capital grant schemes is to avoid causing damage to SSSIs. Where the NCC objects to any proposed works, it is a condition of the schemes that the approriate advisory service officer be brought in to see if it is possible to find a compromise acceptable to both parties. As a general rule this is successful, but if a compromise does not prove possible then the case is referred to the appropriate agriculture Minister for decision, in reaching which the NCC's views are taken into account.

Where it is clear that the work on which grant is claimed relates to an SSSI notified to the agriculture departments by the NCC, it is our policy to seek the views of the NCC where these are not already known. If the NCC objects to the payment of grant, this factor is taken into account in determining whether to pay grant.

Since 1980 there has been only one case where a claim for grant has been received for work which has damaged or destroyed an SSSI and the NCC has objected to the payment of grant. This case affects an SSSI in England and is still under consideration. In another case in England the NCC objected to the payment of grant for works carried out during the three-month consultation period before the site was formally notified as an SSSI, and grant was refused. In a further case in England, where the NCC was consulted but did not object because earlier work which was not grant-aided had substantially destroyed the SSSI, grant was also refused.

Since 1980, in Wales and Scotland grant has not been paid in any case where it is known that the work has damaged or destroyed an SSSI.

Lord Melchett

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether agricultural grants were given to support any of the damaging agricultural works listed in the Wildlife Link Habitat Report No. 2, or the Friends of the Earth Report Sites of Special Scientific Interest: 1984; and if so, whether they will list the sites and grants given.

Lord Belstead

Not all agricultural works which may damage or destroy an SSSI are eligible for grant. As previously stated, it is our policy always to consult the NCC where it is known that work on which grant is claimed relates to an SSSI which has been formally notified to us, or where the NCC has given the required three months' notice to the occupier of its intention to notify a site. Grant has not been paid in any case where the NCC has registered an objection to the payment of grant.