§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he proposes to take to protect sites of importance for nature and landscape conservation from being destroyed prior to applications being made for planning permission; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. YeoThe Government encourage local authorities to adopt appropriate policies in their development plans and to make full use of their powers under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and under planning legislation to protect sites which they recognise as sites of local ecological importance. I am satisfied that measures available to local authorities are sufficient to secure the protection of such sites.