Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill

Let us suppose one has something which will make an enormous contribution to sustainable development. It will not conserve or enhance the landscape; indeed, it may marginally—very marginally—deteriorate the landscape. Any sensible person would say that the enormous contribution it is making to sustainable development makes it infinitely well worth putting up with the minor removal of the odd stone wall. Is the Minister saying that it would be Natural England’s duty to oppose that, because its job is to conserve and enhance the landscape and it has no duty to promote, or allow the promotion of, sustainable development if it would do marginal damage to the landscape? It seems that, by the formulation the Minister and the clause are putting forward, Natural England is not allowed to balance benefits to sustainable development with minor disadvantages.