§ Mr. BreedTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will amend planning regulations to provide for the establishment of a national network of farmers' markets. [110835]
§ Ms Beverley HughesExisting planning controls apply equally to all open air markets. Farmers' markets have been established successfully throughout the country in recent years. However, the "Rural Economies" report by the Performance and Innovation Unit (published last December) stated that there would be merit in reviewing the ancient local market charter arrangements and accompanying regulations. The common law right of charter markets to prevent other markets being established within a distance of six and two-third miles is one possible inhibiting factor.
The "Rural Economies" report is an important contribution to the preparation of the forthcoming Rural White Paper and we shall consider carefully its conclusions and proposals.