HC Deb 23 March 2004 vol 419 cc766-8W
Ms Oona King

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which local authorities in London have used the funding from the Homelessness Directorate in support of their local homelessness strategies to pay cash incentives to social rented sector tenants to relinquish their tenancy and buy a property on the open market; how much funding was used for this purpose, and how many homes were released for reletting, in each case. [162237]

Yvette Cooper

The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 11 March 2004, Official Report, column 1708W, which states that authorities have considerable discretion over how they use the grant, provided that they deliver the required outcomes. Details of all the individual services by each local authority are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Charles Hendry

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what guidance he gives to local authorities on the approval of requests for extensions to domestic residences. [162803]

Keith Hill

Extensions to domestic residences within certain limits are permitted under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995. Outside those limits, it is for local authorities to assess applications in the light of their development plans, any design guidance they have issued, the comments of third parties (if relevant to planning) and any other relevant factors. The Government's planning policies make clear that applicants should be able to demonstrate how they have taken account of the need for good design. Good practice guidance on achieving high standards is set out in 'By Design', the companion guide to Planning Policy Guidance Note 1, which is on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website at www.odpm.gov.uk.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what(a) surveys he has commissioned and (b) research he has evaluated about the preferences of council tenants as to whether their housing should be managed by (i) the council, (ii) registered social landlords and (iii) arm's length management organisations. [162932]

Keith Hill

There has been no research conducted by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on the preferences of council tenants for alternative options for housing management. Each stock owning Local Authority, through its Options Appraisal process, will consult the views of tenants on alternative arrangements for management of their housing stock.

Tom Brake

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what house building targets there have been for Sutton since 1997, broken down by parliamentary constituency; and if he will make a statement. [162833]

Keith Hill

House building targets are set for local authority areas. "Strategic Guidance for London Planning Authorities", Regional Planning Guidance 3, May 1996, proposed for Sutton a minimum 5,400 net additional dwellings over 15years, 1992 to 2006. This target was included in Sutton's replacement Unitary Development Plan (UDP) adopted in 2003. "The London Spatial Development Strategy (The London Plan)", published February 2004, set a minimum target for Sutton of 7,400 additional homes over 20 years, 1997 to 2016. This target derives from "London's Housing Capacity", Greater London Authority 2000, endorsed by boroughs through the London Planning Advisory Committee. As borough UDPs are reviewed or replaced, they will have to be in general conformity with "The London Plan".

Mr. Dobson

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the turnout of tenants and leaseholders was in each of the arm's length management organisation votes in the last 12 months. [162475]

Keith Hill

The turnout and percentage vote in favour in all ballots held by local authorities on arm's length management organisation proposals to date are tabled as follows. All the ballots in Rounds 3 and 4, plus Colchester's in Round 2, were held in the last 12 months.

Percentage
Local authority Turnout In favour
ALMO Round 1
Derby 48 88
Hounslow 35 83
Kirklees 47 81
Rochdale 46 90
Stockton-on-Tees 44 93
ALMO Round 2
Barnsley 25 57
Carrick 61 96
Colchester 57 76
Leeds—East 35 83
Leeds—North East 41 88
Leeds—North West 42 89
Leeds—South 39 91
Leeds—South East 40 88
Leeds—West 38 90
Waltham Forest 49 85
ALMO Round 3
Camden 30 23
High Peak 60 98
Islington 27 85
Sheffield: Brightside and Shiregreen 42 78
Sheffield: Central Area 47 87
South Lakeland 65 88
ALMO Round 4—bids
Hammersmith and Fulham 40 81
Sheffield: Hillsborough, Nether Thorpe 45 87
Sheffield: Parson Cross, Foxhill, Longley 38 94
Sheffield: Westfield, Hackenthorpe 43 89