HC Deb 04 March 1987 vol 111 cc867-8
10. Mr. Andrew MacKay

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of new building took place on recycled or derelict land in 1986; and what is his Department's estimate as to whether that proportion will rise or fall.

Mr. Ridley

In 1985, the most recent year for which figures are available, 47 per cent. of land used for development had previously been developed or was vacant land in urban areas. I hope that that proportion will remain substantial.

Mr. MacKay

Does my right hon. Friend agree that there will be far less pressure for development on greenfield sites in my constituency and elsewhere if more derelict land in inner cities is brought to market? Has he thought of introducing some sort of land value taxation which would encourage this land to be brought to market as soon as possible?

Mr. Ridley

I agree. The figure of 47 per cent. is by far the best that we have ever achieved and I hope that it will get better still. Rather than tax unused, derelict land in inner cities, the Government are subsidising it. It is being brought back into use through the derelict land grant, the urban programme and now the urban development corporations in the relevant areas. We are much more likely to get a quick and ready take-up of, and useful employment for, that land if we make it available in good condition and cheaply rather than if we simply tax it.

Mr. Rooker

Does the Secretary of State think that it is as unrealistic to claim that all inner city derelict sites should be built on as it would be to say that all new build should be on greenfield sites? When he approves derelict land grants will he bear in mind that in my constituency builders were forced by a scarcity of land to consider digging 10 acres of tipped waste which was 15-years-old —no one knew what was there—with massive potential environmental damage? They have pulled back from that, but builders and developers should not be placed in that position. That is why the matter must be considered with greater sensitivity.

Mr. Ridley

I agree with the hon. Gentleman. In some parts of the northern industrial areas where, unfortunately, there is a massive decline in population, there will be room for increased green space above what there has been previously. I have asked the new urban development corporations to take that into account where they can do so. In some of the bustling, overcrowded cities of the south it will not be easy to accommodate all the people whom we have been talking about at Question Time today and to provide increased green space.