Clause 71
Marine and Coastal Access Bill [Lords]
12:30 pm
Richard Benyon (Shadow Minister, Environment, Food & Rural Affairs; Newbury, Conservative)
I am grateful for the Minister’s clarification. As he rightly points out, there is a wide variety of applications in the marine environment but, as hon. Members have said, there is also a wide variety of applications on land—everything from a loft extension to a nuclear power station. We have methods that allow a time limit in such circumstances.
I am grateful to you, Mr. Gale, for reminding me about clause 73. It was in my subconscious mind and you brought it to my conscious mind. I notice that there is no reference in that clause to a time limit on appeals. That is a very important point. Given that the Minister has announced a consultation, it would be wrong to press the amendment at this stage, but I hope to return to the matter on Report. I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.