§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is satisfied with the restoration of wet pits, with particular reference to the extraction of gravel and sand in the home counties.
§ Mr. Denis HowellThe most suitable after-treatment of a wet pit is a matter for the judgment of the local planning authority in the circumstances of the particular case. Full restoration is only534W practicable where suitable filling material is available, but in most cases the best solution will be to landscape the workings and use them as a site for water recreation, facilities for which are in great demand. The general question of restoration and the use of planning conditions are among the matters being studied by the Committee on Minerals Planning Control whose report is expected shortly.