HC Deb 12 December 1985 vol 88 cc778-9W
Mr. Simon Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment in what way his Department's offer of urban development grant for the provision of dwellings for sale by Barratts Urban Construction (Northern) Ltd. on part of the Spencerbeck housing estate owned by Langbaurgh borough council satisfies the criterion laid down in his Department's guidance notes for the urban development scheme, that projects aided by urban development grant should make a demonstrable contribution to meeting the special social needs of inner urban areas.

Sir George Young

The project comprises the refurbishment of part of an estate which had become difficult-to-let and which exhibited physical and environmental problems. It will provide 137 homes for sale and widen tenure choice in the area.

Mr. Simon Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will place in the Library a copy of the application by Salford city council for urban development grant for the conversion by Barratt Urban Renewal (Northern) Ltd. of vandalised dwellings to provide flats and houses for sale in St Stephen's street, Salford.

Sir George Young

All applications for urban development grant are treated as commercially confidential.

Mr. Hancock

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much is being currently spent on urban regeneration projects in (a) Sheffield, (b) Bristol, (c) Brighton, (d)Leicester, (e) Coventry, (f) Portsmouth and (g) Southampton.

Sir George Young

Many agencies, public and private, are involved in urban regeneration. Figures for the urban programme, for which my Department is responsible are:

expenditure met by rate support grant, based on each authority spending at grant-related expenditure in 1986–87 and (b) the projected rate of change in that percentage between 1985–86 and 1986–87, assuming that balances remain unchanged, for the metropolitan district councils of (i) Manchester, (ii) Liverpool, (iii) Sheffield, (iv) Newcastle, (v) Leeds and (vi) Birmingham.

Mrs. Rumbold

My right hon. Friend hopes to announce his decisions on the rate support grant settlement for 1986–87 before the Christmas recess.