§ Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to issue revised guidance to local planning authorities on the treatment of designated and candidate special protection areas in the light of the Leybucht Dyke case heard in the European Court of Justice.
§ Mr. Yeo[holding answer 6 March 1992]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Minister for Housing and Planning to my hon. Friend the member for Twickenham (Mr. Jessel) on 27 February 1992, Official Report column 562. We published draft guidance on that day, and will issue it in final form later this year in a new planning policy guidance note on nature conservation.
§ Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when officials from his Department last met staff of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee to discuss future special protection area designations; and what was agreed.
§ Mr. Baldry[holding answer 6 March 1992]: My officials last met staff of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and English Nature on 13 February to discuss special protection area designations. Progress on sites already submitted to the Department was discussed and the Government expect to announce a number of further designations shortly. Discussions are continuing on the future work programme. It was agreed to maintain the momentum through 1992–93 and beyond.