§ 50. Mr. NOEL LINDSAYasked the Minister of Health whether he will reconsider his decision to allow part of the 50-acre site at South Liberty Lane, Bedminster, Bristol, at present used for allotments for unemployed men and scheduled by the Bristol City Council as industrial land under the Town Planning Acts, to be used for the erection of dwelling-houses, in view of the hardship to unemployed men, the unsuitable nature of the site, and the strong representations of the Bristol City Council?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Mr.Shakespeare)The circumstances to which my hon. Friend refers were fully considered in determining this appeal and my right hon. Friend was satisfied that the balance of argument was nevertheless in favour of allowing the proposed development. My right hon. Friend sees no reason to vary his opinion and he has no power to revise his decision.
Mr. LINDSEYDid my hon. Friend take into consideration, first of all, the fact that both the medical officer and the city engineer of Bristol emphatically said that this land was not suitable for housing development; and, secondly, the fact that the result of his decision has been to throw nearly 400 unemployed off their allotments?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREAll these facts were taken into consideration, but particularly the fact that it is very difficult to refuse leave to an owner to develop his property and build houses on it save under very exceptional circumstances.
§ Mr. BERNAYSIs my hon. Friend aware that this site is most unsuitable for building, being very marshy; and is it not the case that the decision of the Minister in this matter impairs the whole principle of town planning?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREThis area was scheduled for development purposes, and it is therefore not suitable for allotments.
§ Mr. BERNAYSIs that any reason for placing it in the hands of the speculative builder?
§ Mr. LINDSAYIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter at the earliest opportunity.