§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 26 May,Official Report, columns 240–41, if he will make a statement about the Government's planning policy towards applications for farm shops in the green belt.
§ Mr. BaldryAdvice on development control matters within green belts is contained in planning policy guidance note 2. Paragraph 13 of that document states that approval should not be given, except in very special circumstances, for the construction of new buildings or for the change of use of existing buildings for purposes other than uses appropriate to a rural area.
It is for local planning authorities to take this advice into account, together with all other material planning considerations, including my answer of 26 May, Official Report, column 240, in making planning decisions concerning farm shops in green belts.
I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave in the Official Report on 26 April 1993, column 318, for a reference to those circumstances where a planning application for a farm shop may not be necessary.