Peat

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government written question – answered at on 18 June 2020.

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Photo of Graham Brady Graham Brady Chair, Conservative Party 1922 Committee

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what protection each of clauses 204(a) and 205(d) of the National Planning Policy Framework provide against (a) housing, (b) commercial and (c) public infrastructure development on peat moss.

Photo of Christopher Pincher Christopher Pincher Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) paragraphs 204(a) and 205(d) relate to the extraction of peat. The Framework makes clear that new sites or extensions to existing sites for peat extraction should not be planned for or permitted by Mineral Planning Authorities. The Framework includes strong policies to conserve and enhance the natural environment. The NPPF expects planning authorities to protect and enhance biodiversity and geodiversity in their plans and, when determining planning applications, not to grant planning permission for development that would result in the loss or deterioration of irreplaceable habitats (such as peat land) unless there were wholly exceptional circumstances (Paragraphs 174 & 175(c)).

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