HC Deb 08 March 1988 vol 129 c118W
Mr. Leighton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of the dwellings built or started in the area of the London Docklands development corporation is for rent.

Mr. Trippier

Of the 8,000 dwellings completed in the LDDC area by 30 September 1987, a total of 16 per cent. were built for renting.

Mr. Leighton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the average worth of land per acre when vested in the London Docklands development corporation; and at what average price it is now being sold to developers.

Mr. Trippier

The average value of land when it was vested in the UDA, including water areas and reflecting liabilities transferred, was approximately £50,000 per acre. Land prices currently range from £250,000 per acre to £3 million per acre, depending on size, location, planning use and LDDC expenditure on site preparation arid infrastructure.

Mr. Leighton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the remit of the London Docklands development corporation's social facilities programme unit.

Mr. Trippier

To carry forward the corporation's commitment to improvements in education, training, health, tourism, leisure, the arts and community development in docklands.

Mr. Spearing

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate the enhancement of land values accruing to the London Docklands development corporation arising from the Beckton extension of the dockland's light railway and the approximate proportion of that increase which will need to be devoted to fund the construction of that extension.

Mr. Trippier

[holding answer 3 March 1988]: The Secretary of State and the LDDC are satisfied that the enhancement will be sufficient to meet the costs of the railway's construction. Precise forecasts of land receipts are not possible and the estimates used are confidential for commercial reasons.