HC Deb 23 June 1969 vol 785 cc221-2W
Mr. Stainton

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will now announce his decision regarding the designation of the site of a new town in and around Ipswich.

Sir Dingle Foot

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will now give an answer on the decision on the expansion of Ipswich.

Mr. K. Robinson

My right hon. Friend has today informed the objectors to the draft designation order that it has been decided not to proceed with the proposed new town at Ipswich. London's overspill requirements require review in the light of the most recent population forecasts. The review, which is in hand but will take some time to complete, could lead to some revision downwards in the scale of overspill requirements previously envisaged. While being very conscious of the size and complexity of London's pressing housing problems, the Government therefore think it test to concentrate over the next few years on ensuring the success of the new towns recently designated at Milton Keynes, Northampton and Peterborough, together with the other London new towns that are still in course of development, and the town development schemes already promoted by the Greater London Council, all of which are intended to make a substantial contribution to the housing needs of Greater London. In these circumstances the case for an additional new town at Ipswich is not at present considered strong enough to justify the designation of so large an area of good agricultural land and the commitment of substantial additional Exchequer finance at a time when it is essential to restrict public expenditure. The decision letter, of which I have sent my right hon. Friend and the hon. Member a copy, makes it clear that in out view Ipswich, although it is not to be developed under the New Towns Act 1965, has considerable potential for further growth and has a promising future both as an attractive and prosperous historic town and port and as the focus of one of the main areas of growth in East Anglia recommended by the East Anglia Economic Planning Council in their first report "East Anglia—A Study".