HL Deb 02 March 1987 vol 485 cc508-9WA
Lord Melchett

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Under what statutory authority the Nature Conservancy Council advises owners and occupiers of the land concerned, and local planning authorities, if, after having been notified, a Site of Special Scientific Interest ceases for any reason to be of special interest.

Lord Skelmersdale

There is no specific statutory provision requiring the Nature Conservancy Council to notify local planning authorities and owners and occupiers of the land concerned when in their opinion a site ceases to be of special interest. It is however implicit in Section 28(5) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended by the 1985 Act) that notifications can cease to have effect. The Nature Conservancy Council notify all concerned if for any reason a site ceases to be of special interest.