HC Deb 03 May 1989 vol 152 cc135-6W
Dr. Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total number of(a) lump sum and (b) annual management agreements concluded between the Nature Conservancy Council and owners and occupiers of the area known as the Somerset Levels and Moors, the area of land involved and the total cost of agreements to the end of January 1989in 1989 prices.

Mr. Ridley

[holding answer 26 April 1989]: I am advised by the Nature Conservancy Council that 184 agreements have been concluded with owners and occupiers of the Somerset Levels and Moors, covering an area of 1,968 hectares. These provide for annual payments totalling £281,685 per annum, as at January 1989.

Dr. Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those areas in the Somerset Levels and Moors which have been notified as sites of special scientific interest, indicating(a) where the Nature Conservancy Council owns land, and (b) the number of management agreements reached with owners and occupiers of each area so notified.

Mr. Ridley

[holding answer 26 April 1989]: The information requested is as follows:

SSSI Name Number of Agreements
West Sedgemoor1 24
Tealham and Tadham Moors1 35
Southlake Moor1 18
Moorlinch1 11
King's Sedgemoor 43
Wet Moor 5
West Moor 4
Westhay Moor1 1
Catcott, Edington and Chilton Moors1 31
North Moor 11
Shapwick Heath1 1
Sharpham Moor Plot
Street Heath
184
1 Includes land owned by NCC