HL Deb 16 March 1998 vol 587 cc115-6WA
Lord Beaumont of Whitley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Hayman on 17 February that they were "not aware of any advice from English Nature that the extraction of peat at Thorne and Hatfield Moors should be stopped" (WA28), whether (a) they were aware of the text of English Nature's News Release (EN/97/28); (b) they had received this document formally; (c) if they were aware of the News Release, they did not regard the contents as "advice". [HL1000]

Baroness Hayman

English Nature's News Release EN/97/28 was conveyed to Ministers under cover of a letter dated 2 December from the Chairman, Lord Cranbrook. The letter refers to the decision of council not to pursue the denotification of the SSSIs at Thorne and Hatfield. Neither the letter, nor the Press Notice accompanying it (which states only in general terms that English Nature has repeatedly advised that there should be rigorous appraisal of the opportunities for local authorities to revoke ancient planning permissions) are seen as constituting explicit advice to Government that the extraction of peat at Thorne and Hatfield should be stopped.

Lord Beaumont of Whitley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What action they propose to take to stop the extraction of peat at Thorne and Hatfield Moors in view of the statement made by the Earl of Cranbrook contained in English Nature's News Release (EN/97/98). [HL1001]

Baroness Hayman

English Nature's News Release EN/97/28 includes the general statement from Lord Cranbrook that English Nature has repeatedly advised that there should be rigorous appraisal of the opportunities for local authorities to revoke ancient planning permissions. English Nature's position statement on lowland peatland emphasises that its policy is to seek to protect peatland SSSIs with existing planning permission from further damage by peat extraction through advice and liaison with operators: grant aid to facilitate conservation management: purchase and management by a conservation body: agreement, lease or purchase by English Nature: and supporting local authorities in reviewing planning consents and permissions.

In relation to Thorne and Hatfield, most areas which bear flora and fauna of conservation value will not be worked for peat, and English Nature is continuing to manage them with the assistance of the extraction company. As additional areas become worked out, they are being passed back to English Nature in a condition ready for conservation management to be undertaken. The local authority is also reviewing the terms of the existing permission under the provisions of the Environment Act 1995.