HC Deb 14 February 1961 vol 634 cc128-30W
65. Mr. du Cann

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he will publish in HANSARD the scope of the voluntary agreement made between the various interests concerned regarding afforestation in the National Parks.

Sir K. Joseph:

Yes. I am circulating the terms of the scheme in the OFFICIAL REPORT, and also the letter which was sent by the National Parks Commission to the individual park planning authorities recommending its adoption.

Following is the terms of the scheme and the letter.

LETTER SENT BY THE SECRETARY, NATIONAL PARKS COMMISSION TO CLERKS OF PARK PLANNING AUTHORITIES ON 26TH JANUARY, 1961

For some time past the possibility of large-scale private afforestation of open land in National Parks has caused widespread concern, and many representations have been made to the Minister of Housing and Local Government that some form of control should be introduced to prevent the possibility of substantial changes in the character of the landscape in a National Park, without affording those to whom the statutory responsibility of preserving the landscape has been emtrustted, any opportunity of considering such projects for afforestation. The National Parks Commission have themselves made representations to the Minister in this sense.

In July last, in reply to Parliamentary Questions, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry announced that the Minister was expecting to arrange for discussions between the National Parks Commission, the Forestry Commission and representatives of the timber growers to see if a voluntary scheme could be worked out. He added that the Minister "would prefer that the possibilities of such a scheme should be explored before he considers other measures".

At the Minister's invitation representatives of the National Parks Commission have taken part in these discussions with representatives of the Ministry, the Forestry Commission, the Timber Growers' Organisation and the Country Landowners' Association. As a result of the discussions a voluntary scheme has been formulated, the purpose of which is to secure consultation of Park Planning Authorities on proposals for private afforestation of any land which has hitherto not been planted. Details of the scheme have been embodied in a document, a copy of which is enclosed.

All those concerned in the discussions have recognised from the start that the success of any scheme depends on the readiness of each Park Planning Authority and of the local members of the Timber Growers' Organisation and the Country Landowners' Association to implement the terms of the scheme. While the National Parks Commission have a general duty under the National Parks Act to consider what actions need to be taken to preserve and enhance the natural beauty of National Parks and to promote their enjoyment by the public, and to make representations to the Minister and local authorities with respect thereto, it is the Park Planning Authorities who are primarily responsible for the planning of National Parks. The Commission very much hope that the proposals in the scheme will commend themselves to your Board/Committee, and that the latter will take appropriate steps to make them effective.

It will be noted that the scheme recognises that Park Planning Authmorities should be given the opportunity of commenting upon all proposals for the afforestation of any land in the National Park which has hitherto not been planted, and that the Timber Growers' Organisation and the Country Landowners' Association have undertaken to advise their members to proceed to such consultation.

The Commission for their part have undertaken to advise each Park Planning Authority to carry out, in association with the Forestry Commission, a survey of the land in their Park, with a view to compiling maps which would divide the land into categories, indicating in a general way, the areas in which afforestation proposals would or would not be acceptable. The Commission realise that in some Parks such a survey has already been carried out, and in others may not be necessary, and they will be glad of an early opportunity of discussing this with you.

Since the surveys, where undertaken, will of necessity take a considerable time, it is suggested that, pending their completion, ad hoc arrangements should be made in Parks to secure consultation on all proposals for afforestation covered by the scheme. In case you have not the information, in the Park, the representative of the Timber Growers' Organisation is and of the Country Landowners' Association.

I should be obliged if you would kindly place these proposals before your Board/Committee. I shall be glad to answer any questions on any matter which may not be clear, or on which you may require any further explanation. Indeed, if it would be of any help, I will gladly arrange for someone from the Commission to attend any meeting to discuss the matter.

The Commission very much hope that your Board/Committee will feel that the terms of the scheme provide a useful opportunity for resolving any difference of opinion which may arise as to the most appropriate use of open land in National Parks, and that they will decide to take the steps necessary locally to give it a fair trial.

Should you require any further copies of the scheme, I shall be glad to supply them.