HC Deb 14 June 1972 vol 838 cc1499-501
24. Mrs. Doris Fisher

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration he is giving to designating growth areas for house building in the area to be covered by the new West Midland Metropolitan County.

Mr. Graham Page

The West Midlands Planning Authorities' Conference is considering comments on the Study Team's Regional Strategy and is discussing it with the Economic Planning Council and with Government Departments, with the aim of submitting their conclusions to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State in the autumn for his approval.

Mrs. Fisher

I thank the Minister for that reply, but does he not realise that the need for land for building in Birm-

Mr. Peyton

As the answer is in the form of a table, I will with permission circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Pavitt

Will the Minister give special regard to two major schemes—the Harrow Road widening scheme and the Willesden High Road, where we have had a considerable number of problems in the last 12 years? Would he look at the whole question of Stonebridge redevelopment where we are very anxious to make definite moves in an area which previously consisted of very sub-standard housing, but where we have been delayed because of uncertainty about widening of the Harrow Road?

Mr. Peyton

As the hon. Member will be aware, the London Borough of Brent is the authority for all principal roads in the area. I have no doubt it will look at the matter. If the hon. Member thinks my Department can be helpful, I will do my best to assist.

Following is the information:

ingham is sufficiently urgent for him to take action? If Birmingham is to continue to demolish 4,000 slum dwellings a year and to rehouse 22,000 on its housing register, is it not imperative for the Minister to take urgent action to make land available?

Mr. Page

In 1971 a planning application by Birmingham was granted enabling the city to build more than 6,000 new houses at Kitwell, Walker's Heath, Frankley and Hawkesley on the borders of the city and north Worcestershire. Birmingham probably has sufficient land to build approaching 3,000 houses yearly for the next four to five years. But we have offered to consider this situation with Birmingham if the city will produce details of its requirements.

Mr. William Price

Is the Minister aware that we have reached the situation in Birmingham and the West Mid- lands area in which a farmyard barn was recently sold for £22,000 and in which single building plots are costing £10,000 each? When will the five Ministers down there get off their fat backsides and do something about it?

Mr. Page

I understand that whereas under the previous council the 6,000 sites which were granted were to be split 50–50 between council building and private enterprise, the present council has announced that the land will be devoted wholly to council building.