§ Mr. Cluseasked the Minister of Health what difficulties or delays the Walton and Weybridge Council has met with in the acquisition of housing sites on Long-more Farm, Hersham, and on the fields in Esher Road, Hersham; whether compulsory purchase orders have been sought or obtained and with what result; and if he will state the area and present rateable value of the sites in question.
§ Mr. WillinkThe Walton and Weybridge Urban District Council have provisionally agreed with the owner to purchase 4½ acres of land at Hersham. I understand that the price is £1,100. The Council failed to purchase an adjoining 33¼ acres by agreement, and have made a Compulsory Purchase Order, which I am about to confirm. All the land is derated.
§ Mr. Cluseasked the Minister of Health what progress the Strood, Kent, Rural District Council has made in negotiations to acquire housing sites at Allhallows for 12 houses and the construction of a new road in Cliffe for about two acres for 12 houses, in Grain for 18 houses and in Hallin approximately eight acres; and if, where any of these sites have been acquired, he will state the area, purchase price and previous rateable value thereof.
§ Mr. WillinkI have agreed to the acquisition by the Strood Rural District Council of 1⅓ acres of land at Allhallows, and the Council are now in negotiation with the owner. The land is derated. No definite proposals for Cliffe and Grain have yet been received, but I understand that the Council are considering the purchase of land there for housing purposes, including the construction of an access road. The Council have acquired by agreement a site of approximately 9 acres in Hailing, at a cost of £950 plus legal charges. The land is derated.
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§ Mr. Cluseasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the Peterborough Town Council have been concerned over the delay in the acquisition and development of their proposed new housing estate at Dogsthorpe and Garton End; what progress is now being made in regard thereto; what is the area and rateable value of the land in question; if he is aware that the council were offered 10,832 square yards of land at Garton End for allotments at a price of £365 per acre, subject to conditions as to fencing, but they decided against purchase; and what is the present rateable value of that land.
§ Mr. WillinkThe town council were informed last July that consent could be given to the purchase of a part only of the estate at Dogsthorpe and Garton End, which comprises 326 acres and has a rateable value of £24. They are now in negotiation for the purchase of 119 acres of the estate. I am aware of the decision of the Council as regards land for allotments at Garton End. The rateable value of this land is £16.