§ Mr. RandallTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what policies are applied by English Partnerships when deciding whether to fund development proposals affecting sites of special scientific interest; and if he will make a statement. [32080]
§ Angela EagleEnglish Partnerships' statutory remit is to regenerate derelict, contaminated, vacant and underused sites to bring them back into beneficial use. The Agency works exclusively in areas of economic and social need. The nature of the Agency's remit is such that the environmental impact of its work is almost always positive. Where it is involved in proposals affected by SSSIs, it is usually because the Agency is investing in enhancing the environmental quality of that area.
There are, however, hard cases where the Agency needs to consider development proposals which might adversely affect areas of special scientific interest. In these circumstances, the Agency considers all the environmental effects of the project including the removal of environmental hazards and nuisances, the potential visual improvement and nature conservation issues. These factors then have to be weighed alongside the economic and social needs of the local population.
The Agency also operates, however, within the statutory planning system. It would therefore expect issues concerning the status of an SSSI to have been considered in the local development plan and, subsequently, at planning application stage. Of particular relevance in this context is the role of English Nature as statutory consultee.
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§ Mr. RandallTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list those SSSIs that have been affected by development projects funded by English Partnerships; and if he will in each case set out the nature of the damage; [32079]
(2) what SSSIs currently being considered as sites for developments are in part or wholly funded by English Partnerships. [32078]
§ Angela EagleI will write to the hon. Member.