§ Mr. Stokesasked the Minister of Health what stage has been reached in the negotiations by the Beckenham Council for the acquisition of approximately 33 acres of land for general municipal purposes, and since this area is made up of four separate sites, one to be acquired for housing and three for general municipal purposes, what is the area of each, and the present assessment for local rating purposes.
§ Mr. WillinkI understand that an inquiry by the Corporation of the owners of three sports grounds as to their willingness to sell has in each case elicited a refusal. Two of these grounds cover an area of 12 acres each and the third eight acres; and the rating assessments are respectively £90, £217 and £198. It is hoped to complete the purchase of a housing site in Balmoral Avenue in about six weeks. The size is between three and four acres and the rateable value £36.
§ Mr. Stokesasked the Minister of Health if he has confirmed the Torquay Compulsory Purchase Order, 1934, for land at Barton and Watcombe; what price has been fixed; and what is the area and the previous rateable value of the site in question.
§ Mr. WillinkYes, Sir; the price has not yet been determined; 16 of the 33 properties scheduled to the Order have a rateable value of £120; the remainder of the properties are agricultural and therefore derated.
§ Mr. Stokesasked the Minister of Health if housing sites have yet been secured by the Wareham and Purbeck Rural District Council in the villages of Bere Regis, Chaldon Herring, Corfe Castle, Maltravers, Morden and Winfrid; and whether he can state the area so far acquired, the price paid and the previous rateable value in each case.
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§ Mr. WillinkThe Wareham and Purbeck Rural District Council have available for housing a site of ½ acre in the village of Bere Regis, out of an area of two acres which they purchased in 1938, for £240. The land was de-rated. The council have not yet secured sites in the other villages mentioned.
§ Mr. R. Morganasked the Minister of Health whether he will give an assurance that in granting permission to local authorities to requisition land for temporary houses which may remain in their possession for several years, steps are taken to ensure that the amenities of the district and of other housing estates in the vicinty are not jeopardised.
§ Mr. WillinkI assume my hon. Friend has in mind the procedure for taking possession of land for temporary houses under Section 6 of the Housing (Temporary Accommodation) Act, 1944 All sites acquired under this procedure are agreed with the regional representative of the Ministry of Town and Country Planning who considers the proposal from the point of view of the best planning of the district.
§ Mr. Stokesasked the Minister of Health the appropriation price paid for seven acres of land by the Eastbourne Town Council at the junction of Churchdale Road and Northbourne Road; and whether he will give the previous rateable value.
§ Mr. WillinkThe site of 3¼ acres at the junction of Churchdale Road and Northbourne Road was the subject of a Compulsory Purchase Order, which I confirmed on the 29th December, 1944. Purchase of the site is not yet complete. The land is derated.