HL Deb 04 December 1985 vol 468 cc1401-2WA
Lord Melchett

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they can confirm that the Department of the Environment have expressed the view that the conservation case against allowing peat cutting on Duich Moss Site of Special Scientific Interest on Islay had to be balanced against "social and economic considerations", and, if so, whether they will list these social and economic considerations, given the Nature Conservancy Council's offer to pay any excess costs involved in exploiting alternative, suitable sources of peat.

Lord Elton

In correspondence, the Department of the Environment has endeavoured to make clear that, in reaching his decision to grant planning permission for peat extraction at Duich Moss, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Scotland took account of all relevant factors. The decision letter of 18th July 1984 noted that the district council supported the application in view of the social and economic issues involved. The decision letter also made clear that the determining issue was whether the proposed workings would have a detrimental effect on the nature conservation interest of the site. My right honourable friend concluded that the proposed development would not have a significant adverse effect if undertaken with appropriate care.