§ 15. Sir William van Straubenzeeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many houses must be built in central Berkshire under policy HI of the central Berkshire structure plan.
§ Mr. Giles ShawUnder policy HI, the local planning authorities have to make available sufficient land to allow the construction of 31,700 houses in central Berkshire.
§ Sir William van StraubenzeeWould I correctly understand the complicated matter if I said that if Berkshire could demonstrate, in respect of its number of houses, that its commitment was met by existing planning consents, it need not feel that the Department of which my hon. Friend is a distinguished member will be chasing it for substantially increased housing that is bitterly resented in central Berkshire?
§ Mr. ShawI am well aware of my hon. Friend's assiduous concern for the welfare of the citizens of central Berkshire. Nevertheless, he will be aware that we are dealing with land upon which houses may be built. As far as I understand it, about 19,500 such consents are available, within the overall total of 31,700, for the period of the structure plan. That leaves a significant shortfall.