HC Deb 24 February 1960 vol 618 cc63-4W
Colonel Beamish

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will now make a statement about planning control of broiler houses.

Mr. H. Brooke

As a result of my consultations with the interest concerned, I have come to the conclusion that all large agricultural buildings should be brought under planning control in order to ensure that they are sited with due regard to local amenities. I have today laid before Parliament an order to amend the Town and Country Planning General Development Order, 1950, for this purpose. The order, which will come into force tomorrow, will apply to agricultural buildings or groups of such buildings which exceed 5,000 square feet in area.

I am today sending a circular to local planning authorities to advise them of the factors to be taken into account in the exercise of this control, and stressing the importance of consultation and cooperation between the authorities and farmers and landowners in this matter. I have arranged for copies of the circular to be placed in the Vote Office.