Clause 126
Marine and Coastal Access Bill [Lords]
6:45 pm
Nick Ainger (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, Labour)
I am grateful for the explanation, but it gives me cause for concern, because a local planning authority may be asked to account for a decision but the fact remains that that decision is made and has gone ahead, thereby causing damage to an MCZ. I suggest that before such a decision is implemented, the Welsh Assembly Government, the Scottish Executive or a Government Department should be able, first, to insist that they are notified if there is a departure from conservation objectives and, secondly, to call the decision or application in and hold a public inquiry if they remain concerned. That is the situation under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. There do not seem to be such provisions in this Bill. My concern, and the concern of the Countryside Council for Wales, is that without those provisions, we may see unnecessary damage to MCZs. It is all very well for the planning authority to have to account for its actions, but such a provision, which exists in land-based planning, should apply to marine planning as well. I am not going to push for a Division on the clause, but I suggest that the Minister take the idea away, look at it and bring something back on Report.