§ Miss McIntosh:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with North Yorkshire County Council on allowing quarrying of sand and gravel in the setting of the henges; what assessment she has made of the effect on the archaeological value and integrity of the surrounding of the henges of such quarrying; and whether further planning applications have been lodged for further quarrying in the setting. [141446]
§ Keith Hill:I have been asked to reply
The responsibility for minerals planning in North Yorkshire rests with the County Council. It is required to consult widely when preparing its minerals development plan, including taking advice from English Heritage on archaeological matters. Similarly, English Heritage may make representations in respect of planning applications for sand and gravel extraction if it considers these may affect archaeological interests. No planning application for extraction of sand and gravel in the vicinity of Thornborough Henges has been received, to date, by North Yorkshire County Council. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has not made any assessment of the effect of any possible sand and gravel extraction on the archaeological value and integrity of the surrounding of the henges because that is the responsibility of the mineral planning authority.