§ Mr. Alex Carlileasked the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations there were between the Welsh Office 8W and outside bodies, prior to the issue of the draft circular on development involving agricultural land; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsNone. The circular on development involving agricultural land has been issued in draft to enable outside bodies to give their views.
§ Mr. Alex Carlileasked the Secretary of State for Wales, following the adoption in Wales of annex B of draft circular development involving agricultural land, what proportion of agricultural land in Wales will be subject to consultation with him as to planning proposals; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsConsultation would be required for schemes involving the loss of 20 hectares or more of grades 1 or 2 agricultural land—or where the proposed loss is less than 20 hectares but it would be likely to lead to further losses amounting cumulatively to 20 hectares or more—and which, in the opinion of the local planning authority, would materially conflict with or prejudice the implementation of the development plan. In Wales, 2.4 per cent. of agricultural land is in grades 1 or 2.
Mr. Alex Carliteasked the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of agricultural land in Wales is of grade 1 and grade 2 classification, respectively.
§ Mr. Nicholas Edwards0.2 per cent. of agricultural land in Wales is classified as grade 1 and 2.3 per cent. as grade 2.