§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what assessment his Department has made of the advantages of giving additional weight to environmental impact in determining planning restrictions on agricultural holdings; [3364]
(2) what research his Department has (a) planned, (b) commissioned and (c) evaluated into establishing practical criteria for assessing sustainable and low-impact developments, with particular regard to rural areas; and if he will make a statement; [3269]
(3) what assessment his Department has made of the capacity of the planning system to accommodate low impact development; and if he will make a statement; [3358]
(4) 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; [3369]
(5) 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. [3375]
§ Mr. Gwilym Jones: None.
§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to review(a) PPG7 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. [3378]
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesThe main body of PPG7 has been cancelled in Wales. Planning policy guidance on rural development can be found in "Planning Guidance (Wales): Planning Policy" 1996, which is currently being reviewed. Guidance on agricultural dwellings will be contained in a proposed technical advice note on rural development, which should be issued shortly for public consultation.