§ Lord Melchettasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will list those areas of ancient Caledonian pinewoodland that have been notified or renotified as SSSIs under the Wildlife and Countryside Act: (a) prior to 15th May 1984; (b) subsequently; and whether they will explain why the timetable for the notification of sites given in col. 1398 of the Official Report for 15th May 1984 has not been met and state what has caused the delay in the notification programme of these sites.
§ Lord SkelmersdaleThe following ancient Caledonian pinewoodlands were notified or renotified as SSSIs prior to 15th May 1984:—Glen Tanar, Abernethy Forest, Seafield section (part), Coulin, Strathfarrar, Glen Affric, Amat, Loch Maree Islands, Black Mount (Doire Darrach and Crannach Wood) and Meggarnie. A further four sites—namely, Glen Barisdale, Beinn Dearg, Alladale Woods and Beinn Eighe have been notified subsequently.
The NCC have not been able to complete the notification of these sites as quickly as had been expected because the pre-notification consultations and negotiations concerning possible management agreements proved more complicated and time-consuming than had been expected, and because of a build-up in the volume of SSSI casework generally during the period concerned. The extra resources 1290WA which the NCC have been given should enable them to make further progress with the re-notification programme.