§ Ms RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what procedures have been put in place by his Department to monitor the environmental impacts arising from the implementation of regional planning guidance for the west midlands. [252]
(2) if regional planning guidance for the west midlands was (a) subject to and (b) modified on account of an environmental appraisal using the guidance contained in "Policy Appraisal and the Environment" produced by the Department of the Environment; and if he will publish the appraisal; [250]
(3) what alternative courses of action from those detailed in regional planning guidance for the west midlands were considered in any environmental appraisal undertaken by his Department. [251]
§ Mr. Robert B. JonesThe regional planning guidance followed the principles set out in "Policy Appraisal and the Environment". During its three-year development, a number of alternative courses of action were considered and environmentally appraised. The west midlands local authorities held a conference at which a wide range of organisations expressed their views on a series of strategic planning options for the region. The authorities then submitted their advice to my Department and there was a period of consultation on that advice. My Department published draft regional planning guidance and again a period was allowed for consultation. The final guidance included numerous modifications to the original advice reflecting the view expressed by environmental organisations and others. I do not intend to publish a separate environmental appraisal in addition to the material already published.
119WWe have asked the west midlands local authorities to keep the guidance under regular review in partnership with the Government office for the west midlands and others. Follow-up studies are required on particular aspects. The authorities' attention is particularly drawn to the aim of achieving a more sustainable pattern of development in the region.