§ Dr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will call in for public inquiry the plans for aquaculture recently approved without planning consent by Penwith district council, Cornwall, which will affect the Hayle estuary site of special scientific interest; what representations the Nature Conservancy Council have made about this proposal; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacfarlanePenwith district council, the local planning authority, takes the view that proposals for shellfish farming in the Hayle estuary do not constitute development as defined in section 22(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971, and that planning permission was not required. In these circumstances my right hon. Friend has no power to call in the proposals for public inquiry. He understands that the Nature Conservancy Council has expressed its concern to the district council about these proposals.
§ Dr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in view of the fact that up to 2,000 tonnes of sand and gravel have been excavated each week recently from the Hayle estuary, Cornwall, including from areas within a site of special scientific interest, he remains satisfied that sufficient measures have been taken to protect coasts in the vicinity from the effects of this operation.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneMy right hon. Friend understands that, in accordance with a planning permission given by Penwith district council, material is being dredged from the Hayle estuary for the purpose of maintaining a navigation channel; and that the amount involved is about 1,000 tonnes per week. A full hydraulic study of the implications of this work, carried out on behalf of the owners of the harbour, is now being assessed by Hydraulics Research at the request of the district council. 169W Possible effects on wildlife are among the considerations a planning authority should have in mind when considering an application.