Member

Amendment 344, tabled by the noble Lord, Lord Lansley, would add a duty on local authorities to inform Natural England of potential sites for development that may require an EDP while making development plans. As the noble Lord noted, the Bill already requires Natural England to have regard to development plans when they are relevant, which, as the noble Lord will appreciate, they pretty much always will be. Furthermore, local authorities are required to co-operate with Natural England in the preparation of an EDP, which is likely to include providing any information relating to proposed site allocations. We believe requiring local authorities to proactively provide this information in all cases places an unnecessary administrative burden on them, but of course local authorities can reach out to Government or to Natural England to request that an EDP be prepared. We believe the Bill already provides for proper engagement and communication between Natural England and local authorities.