HC Deb 01 April 1987 vol 113 c548W
21. Mr. Maclennan

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of land currently designated for agricultural use he estimates will change to other uses besides forestry as a result of the proposals contained in the draft circular on alternative land use.

Mr. Waldegrave

In England and Wales in the period 1980–85 fewer than 5,000 hectares of farmland a year were transferred to urban uses, compared with 15,000–17,000 hectares a year in the period 1945–1975. I do not expect any significant change in the recent rate as a result of the adjustment of planning policy proposed in the draft circular.