§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to prevent damage to the green belt by intrusive agricultural development. [26535]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordThe visual amenities of the green belt should not be injured by proposals for development which, although they would not prejudice the purposes of including land in green belts, might be visually detrimental by reason of their siting, materials or design. This is a material factor which local planning authorities should take into account in considering planning applications. For smaller agricultural buildings which do not require a planning application, local planning authorities have discretion to control siting, design and external appearance.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures are available in circumstances where local authorities fail to provide adequate details of potential sites for development in urban areas when consideration is given to the use of green belt land for development purposes. [26672]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordIf a proposed development is inappropriate to a green belt, it is for the applicant to show why permission should be granted.