§ 3.10 p.m.
§ Lord Perry of Walton asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ What are the total costs incurred by the Milton Keynes Development Corporation in developing the Willen lake and park as a public amenity.
§ Lord HeskethMy Lords, Milton Keynes Development Corporation has spent £2,020,000 in developing Willen Park as a public amenity. Willen Lake was constructed as a balancing lake for flood control purposes, funded by the Anglian Water Authority.
§ Lord Perry of WaltonMy Lords, I thank the Minister for that Answer. Can he say what further public expenditure will be incurred by the development corporation in destroying much of the amenity in constructing the H5 Portway Road extension across the centre of Willen Lake against the expressed wishes of more than 9,000—
§ Lord Perry of Walton—local inhabitants?
§ Lord HeskethMy Lords, the proposed road link to which the noble Lord, Lord Perry, refers was first planned in 1971 and planning permission was granted for it in 1978. It has always been part of the plan for Milton Keynes from before the origination of the park. When planning permission was originally granted in 1978, it was well known that the park was also going to be there.
§ Lord KeartonMy Lords, is the Minister aware that most people in north Buckinghamshire regard Milton Keynes as a great success story, not least because of the efforts of the noble Lord, Lord Perry of Walton, in establishing the Open University so successfully there? Also, is he aware of the vast amount of both domestic and foreign investment in commercial and industrial enterprises? Can the Minister tell the House how much private investment has been made in Milton Keynes?
§ Lord HeskethMy Lords, until the end of March 1987 the total investment in Milton Keynes was £1,002 million. Accumulative public sector capital expenditure was some £853 million. The interesting figure for 1986–87 is that public investment was a net £8 million compared with £155 million of private investment.
§ Lord Perry of WaltonMy Lords, in view of the volume of public protest is the Minister willing to request the development corporation to delay what I understand is the imminent beginning to construction of the road, so that alternative arrangements can now be looked at? Is he aware that the change of attitude in Milton Keynes is already very great?
§ Lord HeskethMy Lords, when the road was envisaged in 1971 it was considered important. With the growth of traffic and the success of Milton Keynes, I do not think delay will be possible.