§ Mr. Warrenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations took place with his Department before 25 acres of the Rye harbour site of special scientific interest were bulldozed and drained in 1983; whether he is considering restoration of the site of special scientific interest; and if he will make a statement on the future protection of this site.
§ Mr. GowThe Rye harbour SSSI, which was first notified under the provisions of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, has been afforded the fuller statutory protection of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 since September 1984, when the Nature Conservancy Council gave notice of the scientific interest of the site to landowners and occupiers.
Prior to the re-notification of the site landowners and occupiers were not obliged to consult the Nature Conservancy Council before carrying out work. However I understand that although some damage occurred before the site was re-notified, it was not severe and should not have any lasting effect. The site is now fully protected as a SSSI.