§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to repeal the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to ensure that more consideration is given to environmental concerns during the consideration of planning permission by rural local authorities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Yeo[holding answer 7 June 1993]: Town and Country Planning legislation together with the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 ensures that full account is taken of the likely effects that development proposals would have on the environment. Guidance to local authorities and others on how the conservation of our natural heritage is to be reflected in land use planning and development control is set out in circulars 27/87 and 1/92. 274W This will be updated in a planning policy guidance note, to be issued shortly. Nature conservation issues are frequently a material consideration in determining planning applications, especially those in or near sites of special scientific interest.