Coastal Planning (Hansard, 9 November 1992)

§ Mr. Dafis
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will amend the planning policy guidance note produced by his Department so as to include a reference to the role of ports and harbours under the general development order and the scope of the Crown Estates Commissioners in coastal planning.

§ Mr. Gwilym Jones
The planning policy guidance note on coast planning—PPG20—was published in September 1992. There is presently no intention to amend it.

§ Mr. Dafis
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to amend paragraphs 8.6 and 8.9 of planning policy guidance notes on coastal zones so as to ensure that ecological impact criteria are applied to all sites.

§ Mr. Gwilym Jones
No. Guidance is given to local planning authorities in the planning policy guidance note on coastal planning. Further advice will be contained in the forthcoming guidance note on nature conservation.

§ Mr. Dafis
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what role is envisaged by his Department for non-governmental organisations in the collection of data and analysis on coastal resources prior to the preparation of development plans.

§ Mr. Gwilym Jones
It is for the local planning authority to determine what information it requires in the preparation of a development plan. The planning policy guidance note on coastal planning advises close involvement with a range of Government bodies. It also lists contact points in relevant voluntary organisations.

§ Mr. Dafis
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to encourage local authorities to adopt management policies and management plans for heritage coast areas in Wales.

§ Mr. Gwilym Jones
On 11 March 1992 the Government issued a statement setting out their position on heritage coasts. The statement, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House, supports the concept of preparing management plans. In addition the Government planning policy guidance note No. 20 "Coastal Planning", advises that local planning authorities should include policies for the protection and enhancement of heritage coasts in their development plans.

§ Mr. Dafis
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to encourage the adoption of coastal and estuarial management plans in Wales.

§ Mr. Gwilym Jones
The Government have stated in their response to the second report from the House of580W Commons Select Committee on the Environment, "Coastal Zone Protection and Planning" that they will encourage the preparation of management plans.

§ Mr. Dafis
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to amend the planning policy guidance notes produced by his Department so as to include a detailed report on his Department's coastal strategy; and how the strategy will be implemented.

§ Mr. Gwilym Jones
No. The planning policy guidance note on coastal planning, issued in September 1992, covers issues of relevance to the coastal zone. An interdepartmental group on which the Department is represented has been set up by the Government and this provides a mechanism for the continuing development of coastal policies.

§ Mr. Dafis
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to enhance the remit of the coastal strategic working group; and if he will make a statement on the effect of local government reform in Wales on the work of the working group.

§ Mr. Gwilym Jones
I understand that the Assembly of Welsh Counties—AWC—is to submit advice to my right hon. Friend in the new year on the main strategic issues likely to affect Wales in the next 10 to 15 years. The work of the AWC's coastal strategy working group is expected to form an element of that report. A White Paper on local government reform will be published in due course.

§ Mr. Dafis
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to extend the remit of planning controls to cover the area below the low water mark in and around the coast of Wales.

§ Mr. Gwilym Jones
In response to the second report from the House of Commons Select Committee on the Environment, "Coastal Zone Protection and Planning", the Government gave a commitment to review regulation of activities below the low water mark and to issue a discussion paper.