§ 65. Mr. FavellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his policy on the release of grade I agricultural land for residential building in environmentally non-sensitive areas.
§ Mr. RyderGovernment policy on development involving agricultural land was explained in Department of the Environment Circular 16/87 (Welsh Office Circular 25/87) issued on 8 May 1987. Grade I agricultural land is a national resource which should, in general, be protected from irreversible development. Government advice to planning authorities is that such land should not be built on unless there is no other site suitable for the paticular purpose. Responsibility for development control rests primarily with local planning authorities.