31/01/2008 - Answers issued to Members on 31 January 2008

Answers issued to Members on 31 January 2008

[R] signifies that the Member has declared an interest.
[W] signifies that the question was tabled in Welsh.

Contents

Questions to the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing

Questions to the Minister for Heritage

Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs

Questions to the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing

Nerys Evans (Mid and West Wales): What is the Welsh Assembly Government’s timetable for reviewing TAN 8: Renewable Energy? (WAQ51007)

The Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing (Jane Davidson): The 'One Wales’ agreement makes it clear that the Welsh Assembly Government will review TAN 8, revising upwards the targets for energy from renewables, drawn from a range of sources, following the production of an energy route map and an Assembly Government energy strategy. Work is in hand to publish the renewable energy route map for consultation in February. When the over-arching energy policy context has been finalised, including any revised targets, the review of TAN 8 will commence. This is likely to be early 2009.

Alun Cairns (South Wales West): What review has the Minister conducted into the decision making process and time taken over high hedge appeals? (WAQ51047)

Jane Davidson: There has been no review of the high hedge decision-making process since its introduction but, in accordance with the undertaking given when the complaints system was brought into being, the entire system will be reviewed five years after the relevant legislation has been in effect to assess its effectiveness—i.e., in 2009. Any complaints received about an appeal are given full consideration and as full a response as possible provided, although I must stress that the only way of changing an appeal decision is by judicial review of the inspector’s decision. Hedgeline has raised a number of concerns about the way the appeals system in Wales is operating and those concerns are currently being considered by my officials.

Alun Cairns (South Wales West): Will the Minister please list the number of high hedge law appeals that have been upheld or rejected since the law was introduced? (WAQ51048)

Jane Davidson: A table is attached providing the information you requested.

Questions to the Minister for Heritage

Michael German (South East Wales): Will the Minister please provide a copy of all correspondence and e-mails sent and received during the last 12 months in respect of the Zoar Chapel Project (Zoar Hall, Pontmorlais, Merthyr Tydfil)? (WAQ51014)

The Minister for Heritage (Rhodri Glyn Thomas): Your request will be dealt with as a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. My officials will be in contact with you accordingly.

Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs

Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement regarding the number of stage 1 appeals made against single farm payment allocations for 2007? (WAQ51022)

The Minister for Rural Affairs (Elin Jones): Single payments commenced on 3 December 2007. As at 25 January 2008, over 14,500 farmers in Wales have received their 2007 payment and 30 stage 1 single payment 2007 appeals have been recorded.