§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what evaluation his Department has made of the capacity of the planning system to absorb a new(a) low-impact and (b) permaculture use class into existing guidelines; and what assessment he has made of the advantages of this policy. [3368]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordWe have not conducted such research.
§ Mr. JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment his Department has made of the advantages of giving additional weight to environmental impact in determining planning restrictions on agricultural buildings. [3370]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordWe published research on planning controls over agricultural forestry development last December. The report "Planning Controls over Agricultural and Forestry Development and Rural Building Conversations" is available from HMSO.
§ Mr. JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research his Department has(a) planned, (b) commissioned and (c) evaluated into the advantages of establishing a permaculture use class within the planning system; and if he will make a statement. [3236]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordNone.
§ Mr. JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to review(a) planning policy guidance and (b) other planning guidance on agricultural and other dwellings in the countryside in order to give greater weight to environmental and social sustainability; and if he will make a statement. [3299]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordWe are reviewing PPG7. We issued a draft revision for public consultation earlier this year.