§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the implications of the reclassification of brownfield sites to greenfield sites are for the area's eligibility for European funding under Objective One regulations. [123167]
§ Keith HillSouth Yorkshire's eligibility for European Objective 1 funding is based on the economic prosperity of the area and that in 1999 South Yorkshire's GDP was below 75 per cent. of the European average. There are no qualifying factors based on land classification or a proportion of land being either greenfield or brownfield. In policy terms the Objective 1 Programme supports sustainable development and grant offers may be made to projects that meet the relevant criteria, including evidence that all the appropriate planning permissions are in place.