§ Dame Peggy FennerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what are the current restrictions on release of grade 1 agricultural land;
(2) what exceptions are permitted to the criteria governing the release of grade 1 agricultural land.
§ Mr. CurryResponsibility for day-to-day planning control, including the consideration and determination of applications for planning permission, rests with the appropriate planning authority in the first instance. The Government issue guidance to local authorities on development involving agricultural land which is contained in DOE circular 16/87 issued on 8 May 1987. Annex B to that circular gives information and technical guidance on specific agricultural matters, including agricultural land quality, to assist local authorities in applying the policy contained in the main body of the circular. Copies of the circular are available in the Library of the House.