§ Dr. MarekTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what advice he gives to local authorities on giving planning permission for building housing estates on grade 2 agricultural land. [20289]
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesAdvice on the development of grade 2 agricultural land is contained in planning guidance (Wales): planning policy (May 1996), technical advice note (Wales)6: development of agricultural land (November)1996 and annex A to planning policy guidance note 7, "The Countryside and the Rural Economy"(January 1992). In development control decisions, considerable weight should be given to protecting grades 1, 2 and 3a land from development because of its special importance. Within these grades, where there is a choice between sites of different grades, development should be directed to land of lower quality.