§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is now able to make a statement about the report"Agriculture and the Countryside"prepared by the advisory council for agriculture and horticulture in England and Wales.
§ Mr. ShoreI have considered with my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the report on agriculture and the countryside recently prepared by the advisory council for agriculture and horticulture established by the Minister. We are agreed in welcoming the council's concern with the environment and with the best use of this country's natural resources. We are also agreed that the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food should, as the council suggests, take an even more active part in the planning process but without disturbing the present responsibilities of central and local government.
628WAs living standards rise, there is bound to be a continuing demand on land resources for new, socially desirable uses and the planning system continues to offer the most appropriate mechanism for guidance and control. At the same time the community land scheme and the inner urban areas legislation offer new opportunities for local planning authorities to relieve pressure on agricultural land by developing derelict, vacant or under-used land within existing built-up areas whenever this is reasonably practicable. If agricultural land has to be taken, the amount should be no greater than is reasonably required. Land of a higher quality should not be taken where land of a lower quality can sensibly be used. I regard these guidelines as extremely important and will normally expect to call in for my own decision proposals for the development of good agricultural land which depart significantly from development plans and to which there is an outstanding objection by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
With the emphasis on development planning switching to the preparation of local plans, under which specific areas of land are allocated to development and other uses, the Minister and I stress that local planning authorities should carefully weigh the needs for development of land against the need to retain land for food production whenever possible. MAFF officials will be available to help authorities in considering the agricultural aspects.
The Advisory Council rightly stresses the valuable contribution that MAFF advice can make when planning authorities are drawing up local plans and considering specific development proposals. There is a statutory requirement that authorities should invariably refer to MAFF for advice on any planning applications which are likely to lead to the development of 10 or more acres of agricultural land. In order to help any local planning authority which is in need of detailed advice on applications for the development of smaller areas, the Minister tells me that he has instructed his officials to accept requests for advice on areas down to five acres of agricultural land.
The advisory council drew attention to the loss of food production from the under-farming of land awaiting development. This land raises management problems which do not lend themselves entirely 629W to a planning solution. The Minister, the Secretary of State for Wales and I will be considering them further.
The report also draws attention to the serious problems of the urban fringe and makes a number of recommendations. These are complex problems calling for long-term study such as is currently being conducted by the Countryside Commission.