Member

Turning to Amendment 19 on national landscapes, I recognise the intention to reflect updated terminology. “National landscapes” is the new name by which areas of outstanding natural beauty are now known. However, the legal name for these areas continues to be “areas of outstanding natural beauty”. As such, it is not necessary to make this change, as these areas will be fully captured in the exemption. The areas of outstanding natural beauty map exactly across to national landscapes. I think the confusion in numbers may have occurred because we have 34 in England, but there are of course a further 12 in the UK. However, housing policy is devolved, so there is a difference in the numbers. For these reasons, the Government consider that the current drafting of these provisions strikes the right balance and I kindly ask the noble Lord not to press his amendment.