§ Mr. Lilleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many official gipsy sites have been established on green belt land since the passing of the Caravan Sites Act 1968.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneThis information is not recorded centrally.
§ Mr. Lilleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government that where official gipsy sites exist on green belt land, the occupants are allowed to carry on businesses from those sites.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneThe management of official sites is a matter for the responsible local authorities, which will normally define in their tenancy agreements the activities that may be carried on upon such sites, having regard to the terms of any planning permission granted or deemed to have been granted for the use of the land.
§ Mr. Lilleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government for official gipsy sites to be established within the green belt.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneLocal authorities are advised in DOE circular 28/77 that it may be necessary to accept the establishment of gipsy sites in areas of open land (including green belts) particularly where they come close to urban fringes in order to prevent unauthorised camping in far less suitable places. They are also advised of their special obligation to ensure that the arguments in favour of departing from the development plan are convincing.