§ Ms RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) when the draft circular on planning and affordable housing consultation paper was subject to an environmental appraisal using the guidance contained in "Policy Appraisal and the Environment", produced by the Department of the Environment; and if he will publish the appraisal; [21074]
(2) what alternative courses of action from those listed in the draft circular on planning and affordable housing consultation paper were considered in the environmental appraisal undertaken by his Department; [21075]
(3) in what ways the draft circular on planning and affordable housing consultation paper was modified by the results of the environmental appraisal undertaken by his Department. [21076]
§ Mr. Robert B. JonesThe planning policy on affordable housing is set out in planning policy guidance note 3. Because the draft circular does not change policy, but only explains how it can best be implemented, an environmental appraisal was not necessary. However, if any comments are received from consultees on environmental impact, they will be carefully considered.
§ Ms RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what procedures have been put in place by his Department to monitor the environmental impacts arising from the implementation of the draft circular on planning and affordable housing consultation paper. [21077]
§ Mr. JonesThere are no direct environmental impacts of the draft circular. The policy guidance on affordable housing is in PPG3 in which environmental issues are fully addressed, and which was revised following the 143W 1990 White Paper "This Common Inheritance". The draft circular is intended not to add to the policy guidance to planning policy guidance note 3, but to advise on how that guidance might be best given effect.
Local planning authorities, in taking account of PPG3 and other guidance notes in drawing their local plans, are already advised to carry out an environmental appraisal of these plans.