HC Deb 31 July 1972 vol 842 cc14-6
16. Mr. Ifor Davies

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will obtain from the planning authority and publish details of each site within the area of the Gower rural district for which planning or outline planning consent has been approved for housing developments which have not been started or completed, giving dates of approval and the number of houses involved, and showing what building progress has been made.

Mr. Gibson-Watt

Complete information in the form requested is not readily available. I will, with permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of a limited survey carried out by the district council at my request.

Mr. Davies

I am obliged to the Minister for that reply and the details which he proposes to circulate. I am sure he will find among those details evidence of the anxiety, indeed, the eagerness, of landowners in the Gower peninsula, particularly in the areas of outstanding natural beauty, to release their land for building purposes at inflated land values. Will he therefore consider the reintroduction of the betterment levy to prevent the exploitation of land prices, which is a public scandal in the Gower area?

Mr. Gibson-Watt

I could not at short notice give the hon. Gentleman that assurance. I merely remind him that the 1968 Act sought to deal with the backlog of consents by providing that they could lapse if they were not taken up within five years. With regard to the provision of land, I draw attention to the fact that the Gower Rural District Council has itself made a positive contribution in this matter by putting on the market a site of three acres at Crofty which became surplus to its requirements.

Mr. George Thomas

Will the hon. Gentleman bring to the attention of his escalation in land prices in the Gower, and will they consider bringing forward proposals to the House to check the profiteers who are doing nothing to in-right hon. and learned Friend this wicked

CURRENT PLANNING APPROVALS IN THE GOWER AREA AT 27TH JULY, 1972
Number
Plan No. Location of Development Outline or Detailed Description Approved Completed Date of Approval Remarks
38/71 Northway, Bishopston, Stage 2. Detailed 66 units 66 28 9.3.71 Under construction.
99/72 Long Acre, Murton Detailed 61 units 61 — 9.5.72 Not yet commenced.
35/69 Kilfield Road, Bishopston. Detailed 9 units 9 6 25.3.69 Under construction.
344/68 Three Cliffs Park, Pennard. Detailed 127 units 127 91 7.9.68 Under construction.
590/71 Bryn View, Reynoldston. Outline 8 units 8 — 4.3.72 Under construction.
329/71 Applegrove, Reynoldston. Detailed 21 units 21 — 11.9.71 Under construction.
139/72 Opposite Post Office, Llangennith. Outline 14 units 14 — 11.7.72 Not yet commenced.
164/72 Adjoining Industrial Estate, Crofty Detailed 135 units 135 70 19.5.67 Under construction.
363/71 Land at rear of Westbourne View, Crofty. Outline 40 units 40 — 12.10.71 This site comprising 3½ acres was recently sold by this Council to a private developer (not started).
491/70 Station Road, Llanmorlais. Detailed 8 units 8 4 6.2.71 Under construction not
Llanmorlais. Outline 4 units 4 — yet commenced.
150/68 Pen y Ian, Penclawdd Detailed 35 units 35 18 27.5.67 Under construction.
89/72 Rear of Station Road, Penclawdd. Outline 25 units 25 — 23.3.72 Not yet commenced.
100/72 Pant y Dwr, Three Crosses. Detailed 57 units 57 — 23.5.72 Under construction
216/71 Bryn y mor,Three Crosses. Outline 69 units — — 22.6.71 Detailed plans awaiting approval by County Council.
90/72 Misty Hills, Three Crosses. Detailed 4 units 4 — 11.4.72 Not yet commenced.
178/72 Brooklands, Dunvant Outline 14 units 14 — 5.6.72 Not yet commenced.
439/72 Pen y fro, Dunvant Detailed 48 units — — — Awaiting imminent approval of Detail plans.
468/71 Fairwood Road, Dunvant. Detailed 4 units 4 — 6.12.71 Underconstruction-4
72/72 Upper Killay Detailed 30 units 30 — 27.3.72 Under construction-30
494/71 Hen Parc Avenue, Upper Killay. Detailed 36 units 36 30 4.12.71 Underconstruction-6
79/72 Edgemoor Close, Upper Killay. Outline Old Peoples' Bungalows. 4 — 28.3.72 Not yet commenced.
702 247
SUMMARY
Number of units completed … … … … … … 247
Number of units under construction … … … … … 289
Number of units not started … … … … … … 166*
702
* Includes 101 at outline stage and 65 at detailed stage.

NOTE:

The list covers the period from May, 1968, and relates to schemes of 4 or more houses.

crease the value of their land but are seeking to blackmail the public?

Mr. Gibson-Watt

I am sure that my right hon. and learned Friend heard what the right hon. Gentleman said.