§ 32. Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will introduce legislation to require developers of private housing estates to maintain open spaces in those estates after completion of the development.
§ Mr. Graham PageI have no plans for such legislation. As I told my hon. Friend on 8th December, local circumstances vary considerably.—[Vol. 827, c. 306–7.]
§ Mr. ClarkeI thank my hon. Friend for the correspondence which I have had on the local problem which gives rise to this Question. Does he agree that there is a real problem when a local authority gives planning permission for development on condition that open spaces are maintained and the developer refuses to maintain them when he has sold the last house? Will my hon. Friend tell me who should pay for the maintenance of the grass and landscaping in the open spaces in those circumstances?
§ Mr. PageThe real problem is getting the conditions worded right. The planning authority can impose conditions to provide open spaces. I know that there is difficulty in imposing responsibility for future maintenance, but there is always the possibility that a local authority can negotiate a separate agreement with the developer.