HC Deb 09 March 1989 vol 148 cc667-8W
Ms. Gordon

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list those sites identified or currently being considered for replacement accommodation for tenants affected by the Limehouse link road, giving for each the size and number of units that could be provided;

(2) where the London Docklands development corporation has purchased or is considering purchasing completed units in private housing developments in docklands in order to rehouse tenants affected by the Limehouse link road; if he will give details of the developments involved including the numbers and types of units and the name of the development company; whether the corporation will purchase units at, below or above prices currently being asked by developers on the open market; and what mechanisms the corporation will adopt to ensure that any units purchased will be made available to tenants at affordable rents;

(3) what consideration the London Docklands development corporation has given in order to rehouse tenants affected by the Limehouse link road, to purchasing completed units at the Ideal Homes Limited development at Timber Wharves Village, London E14.

Mr. Trippier

The LDDC has identified a number of sites for replacement housing includingTimber Wharves, E14—up to 421 units of 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom accommodation. Devons road, E3–70 units of 3, 4, 5 and 6 bedroom houses. Lukin street, E1–30 units of 3, 4, 5 and 6 bedroom houses.

The LDDC recently announced its intention to purchase Timber Wharves, which is a development by Ideal Homes (London) Ltd.

The prices paid for acquisitions are a matter of commercial confidentiality, but are subject to certification by independent valuers and will reflect the benefits of bulk purchase where appropriate. The corporation will assist the housing associations who will manage the properties to ensure that rents are set at levels which the tenants can afford.

Ms. Gordon

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give the latest available estimate for the total cost of rehousing tenants affected by the Limehouse link road.

Mr. Trippier

Under the LDDC's accord with the London borough of Tower Hamlets, at least 400 households would be rehoused. The LDDC currently estimates that the average cost per household would be £142,000. This is based on assumptions about tenants' choices as between new housing association dwellings and existing council dwellings and about construction costs and so on. It would be offset by the LDDC's receipts from the eventual disposal of property released by rehousing.