§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to permit all preliminary drilling for general mining exploration to proceed without the need to obtain planning permission; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneNo. Some forms of exploratory drilling can be so environmentally intrusive that it is clearly proper for them to continue to require an express planning permission. The planning authority can then consider the proposed development in the light of the particular circumstances and, where necessary, impose conditions to minimise the impact on local people and amenity. I am, however, proposing to amend the Town and Country Planning General Development Order 1977 to introduce a new class to permit, subject to conditions, certain less obtrusive exploratory operations for the purpose of ascertaining the presence, extent or quality of a deposit of a mineral with a view to its exploitation. It is hoped to effect this change in the first half of next year as part of a broader package of General Development Order amendments which are being formulated.