§ Mr. BellinghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he next expects to meet representatives of parish councils to discuss his rural White Paper. [40340]
§ Mr. ClappisonWe expect to meet a wide range of people to discuss the rural White Paper.
§ Mr. ButlerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to ensure that housing development in rural communities is appropriate in terms of appearance as well as in quality.[40344]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe White Paper on rural England published last month by my Department and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food endorsed the principle, previously outlined in the quality in town and country initiative, that new development in the countryside should contribute to a sense of local identity and regional diversity.
We have already made it clear that local authorities and planning inspectors can reject obviously poor designs which are out of scale or out of character with their surroundings. In addition we intend to issue good practice guidance on the processes which lead to design; and we are working with the Countryside Commission to promote the preparation of village design statements and countryside design summaries throughout England.