§ Sir Terence HigginsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the price(a) paid to those who have to sell their property in connection with the development of the A27 in the Worthing area because of urgent personal problems and (b) of their or similar properties before the A27 schemes were announced; and if he will now purchase properties whose owners need to move because of urgent personal problems under the blight conditions.
§ Mr. KeyThe purchase price is the full market value of the property as agreed with the district valuer, calculated as if the scheme had never been proposed. The valuation basis is therefore the same as would have applied before the proposals were announced.
The Department has already agreed to purchase, under discretionary powers, more than 90 properties in the Worthing area whose enjoyment would be seriously affected by the proposals and whose owners need to move because of urgent personal problems. It will continue to do so where the discretionary purchase criteria are met.