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WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT BY SENATOR F. du H. LE GRESLEY
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 1st NOVEMBER 2011
Question
Could the Minister explain why the report on farm shops, commissioned by his Department, was released to the media by the author when it is yet to be circulated to States Members?
Could the Minister advise when this report will be officially released? Answer
The Farm Shop review was commissioned by the P&E Minister in February 2011. It followed concerns raised by the Planning Applications Panel in dealing with proposals from one farm shop in the east of the Island.
This work was commenced in June 2011 and involved the appointment of a non paid independent chairperson to oversee the work. The chairperson was also to conduct their own work in assessing the community benefit from such outlets.
A report from the chairperson was received in July 2011. Under the terms of the review, this report was a report to the Minister, and it was to be used to inform the work being undertaken by the Department.
It was unfortunate that the independent chair released this report to selected third parties. This was not done with the sanction of the Minister and was not an intended outcome.
The department is currently finishing off the review by assessing the planning permissions which apply. A final report will be produced by the end of the year which will be informed by the Independent Chairperson report and the more detailed professional planning assessments.
All States Members will be provided a copy prior to general release.