§ Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the latest guidance provided by his Department to local authorities over planning permission for the conversion of disused barns into(a) dwellings and (b) workshops or other use.
§ Mr. YeoDOE circular 8/87, "Historic Buildings and Conservation Areas—Policy and Procedures", states that, finding new uses for buildings such as barns which play an important part in the history and appearance of the countryside, all possible solutions should be explored. It points out that they can make a contribution to the rural economy by providing employment. My Department also provided guidance on the re-use of redundant rural buildings in 1988 in planning policy guidance note 7 (PPG7) on "Rural Enterprise and Development" and PPG2 on "Green Belts". A draft revision of PPG7 was issued for public consultation in December 1989.