§ Mr. David MartinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the guidance on archaeology and planning, issued for consultation in February, will be published.
§ Mr. TrippierMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has today issued a planning policy guidance note on archaeology and planning. We have been most impressed 147W by, and grateful for, the thought that has gone into the comments we have received in response to the consultation document issued in February. There have been more than 200 responses, coming from a wide range of representative organisations including developers, local authorities, archaeologists, conservation and amenity bodies and museums, as well as individuals.
We have taken the many comments into account in preparing the final guidance and we believe that we now have a well balance document which clearly sets out the importance of archaeology and how it should be handled in the planning process. It should go a long way to ensuring that the desirability of preserving archaeological remains is fully considered before planning decisions are made.