§ Mr. Boscawenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will expedite proposals for a relief road for the City of Wells in view of the designation of the city as a conservation area.
§ Mr. Michael HeseltineIt is for the local highway authority in the first 341W instance to recommend priorities for principal road schemes. Somerset County Council has not yet submitted to my Department any proposals for a relief road for the City of Wells.
§ Mr. Boscawenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment at what stage the designation of the City of Wells as a Conservation Area by the County Planning Authority under the Civic Amenities Act, 1967, will result in Government financial or administrative assistance.
§ Mr. Michael HeseltineThe administration of conservation areas is a matter for the local planning authorities. Special attention has to be paid to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of conservation areas when historic buildings or planning functions are being exercised. But the designation of a conservation area does not in itself give any entitlement to Government financial administrative assistance. The council could, however, apply to the Historic Buildings Council for a town scheme under the Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act, 1953—a system under which joint grants towards the repair of listed building are made by the Secretary of State and the local authorities—but it has not yet done so.