National Land Use Database (Hansard, 20 May 1999)

§ Mr. Caborn

I am today publishing the first results of the National Land Use Database (NLUD). This shows that there are around 33,000 hectares of previously developed vacant and derelict land in England of which about a third could be recycled for housing. Another 23,000 hectares are currently in productive use but are planned or expected to become available for redevelopment. Together, this is capable of accommodating more than 710,000 dwellings.

The Government's target is that 60 per cent. of additional homes should be built on previously developed land or should utilise existing buildings. We have always said that this target is tough but achievable. Latest figures show that we had reached 56 per cent. by 1996.

The results of NLUD are a snap-shot in time and provide only part of the information about the position in reaching the target. The stock of land and buildings available for recycling is continually being added to, as well as being developed for housing and other purposes, and these changes have to be fully taken into account. My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has therefore asked the Urban Task Force to review the future availability of recycled land and buildings, taking account of the NLUD data. The Task Force expects to present its report at the end of next month.

Everybody has to have the opportunity of a decent home in which to live. New houses have to be built but in a sustainable way which helps put new life into our towns and cities, makes best use of land and does not squander the precious resource of our English countryside. Policies to achieve these objectives were set out in our revised Planning Policy Guidance note 3: Housing, which was issued for consultation at the end of March.

Today's publication represents the first step towards a comprehensive National Land Use Database which my Department is developing in partnership with local government, English Partnerships and Ordnance Survey.

The statistical bulletin released today gives national and regional results for different types of land, with information about planned uses and assessments of suitability for housing. Some results are also being made available for individual local planning authorities.

This information will be valuable to all those concerned with planning and urban regeneration, including the regional planning conferences—who will be setting regional targets for the re-use of previously developed land for new housing, English Partnerships—who are doing further work on key sites, and the Regional Development Agencies and local authorities who have a key role in supporting the development of previously used sites.

I want to thank local authorities for their splendid efforts in helping us assembly the new database. The data will be useful to them as well as us in seeking to make the very best use of recycled land. The intention now is to build on this work by working with them to develop a system to keep the information up to date, and to expand the scope of the database to encompass all land uses.