HL Deb 24 February 1983 vol 439 c928WA
Lord Hawke

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will consider imposing some sort of control over Sussex farmers who are being tempted to sell the turf from their fields and with it fertility accumulated over years.

Lord Skelmersdale

In Sussex, as elsewhere, the present position is that removal of turf by a farmer may, in certain circumstances, constitute development and the operation may be subject to planning control. Additionally local planning authorities have power under Section 39 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to make a management agreement to restrict removal of turf where that would detract from the natural beauty or amenity of the countryside; and the Nature Conservancy Council has similar power to enter into agreements to conserve the scientific value of the land under other legislation. The Government have no plans to introduce any further controls in this respect.