§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what restrictions are placed on developments by local authorities of designated local nature reserves; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. YeoLocal planning authorities can grant themselves planning permissions under the Town and Country Planning General Regulations 1976. Authorities are required to give their proposals the same publicity, to make them subject to the same consultations, and to consider them against the same criteria and policies, as they would an ordinary planning application for similar development. On 27 February the Department of the Environment issued for consultation a draft planning policy guidance note on nature conservation which provides up to date guidance on how the Government's policies on the conservation of our natural heritage are to be reflected in land use planning.