Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of protections for equine welfare in relation to (a) temporary and (b) permanent construction projects on (i) agricultural and (ii) pasture land in (A) the National Planning Policy Framework and (B) other national planning policies.

Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, it is an offence to cause any animal unnecessary suffering or to fail to provide for its welfare. The Act is supported by the Code of Practice for the Welfare of Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and Their Hybrids which provides guidance on the legal duty of care for horses. This guidance applies to any land where horses are kept, including land affected by construction activity.

Beyond these provisions for equine welfare, the National Planning Policy Framework sets out policy relating to the development of agricultural land. It makes clear that planning policies and decisions should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by recognising the intrinsic beauty and character of the countryside, including the benefits of the best and most versatile agricultural land. Where significant development of agricultural land is demonstrated to be necessary, areas of poorer quality land should be preferred to those of a higher quality.