§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the name of the national heritage adviser to the Countryside Commission; and what is his professional background. [18010]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe National Heritage adviser to the Countryside Commission is Mr. Paul Walshe. His professional background is that of a landscape architect and an architect. He also has a postgraduate degree in environmental conservation.
§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which consultants were employed by the 467W Countryside Commission to advise it on the crossing of the River Avon by the proposed Salisbury bypass; what were the terms of reference given to the consultants; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the consultants' report. [18012]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe consultants were Novell Tullett of Bristol, assisted by Christopher Taylor, who is a landscape historian and former head of the archaeological survey for the Royal Commission on historic monuments of England.
The terms of reference given to the consultants were as follows:
The appointed consultants will be required to undertake the following tasks:
- an assessment of the character and importance of the landscape setting of Salisbury Cathedral in the Nadder and Avon Valleys, through which the proposed road runs;
- an assessment of the impact of the proposals on this landscape, in particular in the vicinity of the East Harnham Meadows;
- advise whether or not the measures proposed for landscaping will significantly ameliorate the impact of the proposal on the area and, if not, what, if any, further measures could be adopted."
The consultants were also asked to advise on the impact of any alternative alignments put forward by the Highways Agency avoiding the East Harnham meadows site of special scientific interest.
I have made arrangements for a copy of the consultants' report to the commission to be placed in the Library.