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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make the Fens a designated area for food production in planning policy.

The Government place great importance upon our agriculture and food production, and this is reflected in the National Planning Policy Framework. The Framework is clear that local planning authorities should recognise the economic and other benefits of the best and most versatile agricultural land, including that found in the Fens. Where significant development of agricultural land is shown to be necessary, the relevant planning authority should seek to use poorer quality land in preference to that of a higher quality.