HC Deb 30 November 1999 vol 340 cc141-2W
Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to protect high-grade agricultural land from development; and if he will make a statement. [100578]

Ms Beverley Hughes

The Government's Planning Policy Guidance (PPG) note 7 on the countryside gives detailed advice on development affecting agricultural land. Local planning authorities should take account of the quality of any agricultural land that would be lost through development proposals, both when preparing their development plans and when considering planning applications.