§ Mr. GreenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made about the effect on wildlife and natural habitats of plans to cut down woods near Farnborough Airfield. [137971]
§ Ms Beverley Hughes[holding answer 10 November 2000]: No such assessment has been made by the Secretary of State as this matter has not come before him formally for determination. The proposal was the subject of a Notice of Proposed Development submitted to Rushmoor Borough Council by the Ministry of Defence. As a competent authority under the Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.) Regulations 1994, the Ministry of Defence are required to carry out an appropriate assessment of the implications of the proposed works on the Thames Basin Heaths potential SPA and I understand they are undertaking such an assessment.