§ Mr. Tom KingTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on which dates since 1 May was(a) he, (b) Ministers in his Department and (c) officials met representatives of the UK Round Table on Sustainable Development to discuss increasing the Government's target of new residential development to be built on previously used land. [18319]
§ Angela EagleNeither Ministers nor officials have met representatives of the UK Round Table specifically to discuss the Government's target of new residential development to be built on previously used land. My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment has, however, had general discussions with the Chairman about Round Table recommendations.
§ Mr. Tom KingTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of new homes provided in each year since 1981 through(a) urban infill and (b) house conversions. [18302]
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§ Mr. RaynsfordEstimates of the number of dwellings provided through conversions are shown below.
Net gain in dwellings from conversions and changes of use England Thousands of dwellings 1981 14.6 1982 17.6 1983 16.2 1984 17.3 1985 16.6 1986 17.1 1987 17.3 1988 14.8 1989 14.6 1990 12.4 1991 13.1 1992 10.1 1993 7.7 1994 9.3 1995 9.2 1996 8.9 Estimates of number dwellings through urban infill are currently not available, but should be available soon.
§ Mr. Tom KingTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what in each of the last three years for which information is available, was the proportion in each region of the amount of new residential development built on previously used land; and what(a) meetings he has had and (b) other actions he has taken in respect of these regions where the proportion was under 50 per cent. [18321]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe table below shows the percentage of new residential development that is on land previously developed for urban uses, by Government Office Region, for the latest three years for which reliable estimates can be made.
The Government has held a number of meetings at which the issue of land recycling and other household growth matters have been discussed. The Government has also made it clear that, in making their housing land allocations, local authorities should make the best possible use of previously used sites for new housing. This applies in particular to those authorities who are achieving low levels of land recycling. The Government is considering these and other issues, taking into account the public consultation earlier this year, and will announce decisions in due course.
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Per cent. Government Office Region 1991 1992 1993 (provisional) North East 43 46 40 North West and Merseyside 49 56 59 North West 49 54 55 Merseyside 48 65 76 Yorkshire and the Humber 38 42 48 East Midlands 33 34 33 West Midlands 44 46 49 Eastern 41 46 49
Per cent. Government Office Region 1991 1992 1993 (provisional) London 83 84 83 South East 50 49 49 South West 30 35 32 England 44 47 48 Source: Land Use Change in England No. 12 (Table 8.5), Statistical Bulletin.