HC Deb 17 March 1994 vol 239 cc786-7W
Mr. Amess

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what remaining assets the Commission for New Towns has to dispose of in Basildon; and when it will be wound up.

Mr. Baldry

In addition to the 2,444 rented and shared ownership dwellings and 10.7 acres of land due to be disposed of to the Basildon community housing association before the end of March, the Commission for the New Towns retains the following assets for disposal in Basildon:

  • 390 acres of developable land;
  • 186,633 sq. feet of freehold commercial premises;
  • 6,700 sq. feet of freehold industrial premises;
  • 560,067 sq. feet of lease/leaseback industrial premises;
  • 13,190 sq. feet of other miscellaneous properties;
  • 54 commercial ground leases;
  • 3 residential hostels where negotiations are currently in progress with the managing agents;
  • 6 miscellaneous properties used for social/voluntary purposes.
As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment announced on 27 July 1993, the Commission for the New Towns is to be wound up by no later than 31 March 1998. In the mean time, the Basildon office of the Commission will close to the public on 31 March 1994.