Investment Zones Impact on the Environment 2022-10-17
2022-10-17
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question is prompted by concerns over potential environmental impacts of proposed investment zones.
What assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of investment zones on the environment?
Investment zones seek to empower communities to deliver planning and outcomes that are right for the local area, while maintaining strong environmental outcomes and keeping national green belt policies in place. They are about working with local areas, and we look forward to receiving applications from Wales in due course.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific impact assessment requested but not provided
Maintaining Strong Environmental Outcomes
Working With Local Areas
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerns over the maintenance of existing environmental protections under proposed investment zones.
The Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds are seeking reassurances about all the environmental protections currently on the statute books. Will the Minister confirm these protections will be upheld?
We are absolutely committed to strong environmental outcomes, as I am happy to repeat and as my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has already said. We look forward to applications from Montgomeryshire.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific confirmation requested but not provided
Absolutely Committed To Strong Environmental Outcomes
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Concern over potential rollback of biodiversity net gain requirements in proposed planning system reforms, including investment zones.
Can the Minister give me an absolute promise that none of the proposed reforms to the planning system, including in the investment zones, will row back on the Government's 10% biodiversity net gain requirement as enshrined in our landmark Environment Act 2021?
As my hon. Friend knows, that biodiversity net gain does not come in for some time yet. It could be that, depending on the applications received for investment zones, the planning permissions will have gone through, or be in the process of going through, under the existing planning process. However, as my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have repeated at the Dispatch Box, and as is clear within the expression of interest guidance on investment zones, we are committed to strong environmental outcomes in those areas and across the planning system.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment requested but not provided
Committed To Strong Environmental Outcomes
Expression Of Interest Guidance
Response accuracy