§ Lord Melchettasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are aware that the Thames Water Authority intend to sell 2.3 acres of the Lashford Lane Fen Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1438WA Oxfordshire for £10,000 per acre to Mr. Bowden, who intends to build on this part of the SSSI, whether they agree that this action by the water authority puts them in breach of their statutory duty to further nature conservation and whether they will take action under Section 29 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to ensure that this part of the SSSI is not destroyed by the purchaser when he takes possession of the land on 26th November.
§ Lord SkelmersdaleI am grateful to the noble Lord for drawing my attention to this matter. I understand that previous proposals for the sale of this portion of the site have fallen through and that the water authority will be reconsidering in the new year how best to dispose of it.