HC Deb 07 July 1998 vol 315 cc475-7W
Mr. Temple-Morris

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the adequacy of consultation by English Nature over the inclusion of part of the River Wye and its tributaries in the list of candidate special areas of conservation being sent to the European Commission under Directive 92/43. [48771]

Angela Eagle

I am satisfied that the consultation process has provided all those with an interest in the proposals with an opportunity to comment. The statutory nature conservation agencies were asked to consult local landowners, statutory agencies and interested bodies on each specific site. My officials have consulted national interest groups and representative bodies on the list as a whole.

Mr. Temple-Morris

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the list of candidate special areas of conservation under European Directive 92/43 has been forwarded to the European Commission in advance of the intended deadline of June 1998; and when he proposes to forward outstanding candidates. [48770]

Angela Eagle

As my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment indicated in his written reply of 15 June 1998,Official Report, columns 60–61, the UK has already submitted 315 candidate Special Areas of Conservation covering over 1,650,000 hectares. We hope that a few remaining proposals will be forwarded to the Commission soon.

Mr. Keetch

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he received, and what public consultation he undertook, in respect of the River Wye and its tributaries being included as a candidate for special areas of conservation under EU Directive 92/43; and if he will make a statement. [48951]

Angela Eagle

[holding answer 6 July 1998]: The consultation process provided all those with interest in the proposals for the River Wye possible Special Area of Conservation with an opportunity to comment. The statutory nature conservation agencies were asked to consult local landowners, local authorities, statutory agencies and interested bodies. At national level, my officials consulted national interest groups and representative bodies on the list as a whole. In the local consultations, views were sought from over 1,200 landowners and local bodies. 14 letters of support were received, including ones from the Environment Agency and the Forest of Dean District Council. 10 objections were received, including one from the former Hereford City Council. The main concern in those objections was that the designation might restrict future development of the river frontage. They were considered before the site was submitted to the European Commission on 12 June 1998.

Mr. Keetch

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what consultations he has had with the Planning Inspectorate in respect of additional special areas of conservation being recognised; and if he will make a statement. [48953]

Angela Eagle

[holding answer 6 July 1998]: The Planning Inspectorate is routinely informed of the submission to the European Commission of all candidate Special Areas of Conservation so that its Inspectors can apply the relevant planning policies to any cases they deal with in or near those areas.

Mr. Keetch

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what areas he has submitted to the EU as candidates for special areas of conservation under European Directive 92/43; and if he will make a statement. [48952]

Angela Eagle

[holding answer 6 July 1998]: Candidate Special Areas of Conservation were sent to the Commission on 20 June 1995, 19 January 1996, 16 October 1996, 17 October 1997, 20 March 1998, 26 March 1998, and 15 June 1998. I will arrange for the lists of areas to be placed in the library of the House.

Mr. Keetch

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance he has given to local authorities to define the term "significant effects" that would require a local planning authority to refuse a development in a special area of conservation; and if he will make a statement. [48956]

Angela Eagle

[holding answer 6 July 1998]: The advice given to local planning authorities on dealing with applications which may have implications for sites which have been submitted to the European Commission as candidate Special Areas of Conservation is set out in Annexe C of Planning Policy Guidance: Nature Conservation (PPG9). PPG9 advises local planning authorities to take advice from English Nature in considering whether the effect of a proposed development is likely to be significant in terms of the ecological objectives for which the site was designated. English Nature will consider each case individually.