HC Deb 23 February 1994 vol 238 cc265-6W
Mr. Hendry

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment who will receive supplementary credit approvals under the flats over shops initiative for 1994–95 and at what levels; and if he will make a statement.

Sir George Young

I have placed in the Library a list of the 131 local authorities in England to receive flats over shops allocations totalling £10 million in 1994–95.

I am delighted with the progress that has been made with this scheme. As in the last two years, the programme was again considerably oversubscribed. This shows that there is great interest in turning empty space above shops into residential accommodation.

The aims of the initiative are twofold; to reduce housing stress by creating new homes and to demonstrate that such a change of use is possible and can have positive advantages for both property owners and the area generally.

Creating flats over shops not only contributes to the growth of housing for rent, but brings life back to our inner cities and improves shop front security.

I expect to see many more homes created this year as a result of this initiative.

I hope that those local authorities which were not successful in gaining Government resources will still consider promoting flats over shops schemes in their area, using other available funds.