§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland why he called in the planning consent for housing development at Fishers road, Port Seton; when he expects to announce his decision; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThese applications were notified to my right hon. Friend by East Lothian district council, the local planning authority, because the Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department had objected to the use for housing of prime quality agricultural land which had not been allocated for development in the relevant development plans. My right hon. Friend called in the applications to allow him to examine more closely the arguments for releasing the land put forward by the district and regional councils, which both supported the proposal. The protection of prime quality agricultural land from development that could be satisfactorily accommodated elsewhere remains an objective of Government policy.
I expect my right hon. Friend to issue his decision shortly and will ensure that the hon. Member receives a copy of the decision letter.