§ Mr. McCuskerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland under what authority he continues to hold the remaining undeveloped land vested for the new city of Craigavon.
§ Mr. CarterThe land is held by the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland under the New Towns Act (Northern Ireland) 1965.
§ Mr. McCuskerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will consider returning land to the original owners in that part of Craigavon which is still undeveloped, particularly on the periphery where farming activities still continue in the pre-1966 form.
§ Mr. CarterNo. It cannot be assumed that any land or properties acquired for the new town development will not be required for that purpose. Arrangements will continue to be made to ensure that available lands not immediately required for development are used for agricultural or other appropriate purposes.
§ Mr. McCuskerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what is the total acreage of vested land in the Craigavon area for which compensation 450W has been agreed and paid; and what is the total of the compensation;
(2) how many cases of compensation are still outstanding for land vested for the construction of the new city of Craigavon; and what is the reason for any delays in settlement.
§ Mr. Carter6,250 acres of land belonging to 514 compensatable interests were taken into public ownership in 1966 for the creation of Craigavon new town. As at 31st January 1978 settlement of compensation has been agreed for 6,137 acres, in the amount of £4.6 million. There are 14 cases still outstanding, and the reason for the delay in settling these cases is that agreement on the amount of compensation cannot be reached between the former owners and the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland; some of the outstanding cases have ben referred for adjudication to the Land Tribunal for Northern Ireland.
Mr. McCuskeyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the total acreage of land which was vested for the new city of Craigavon, and is still undeveloped.
§ Mr. CarterApproximately 3,000 acres.