§ 64. Mr. Edwin Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what schemes of derelict land clearance in the Yorkshire and Humberside Region are being considered by his Department; and what is the acreage in each case.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThere are 13 derelict land reclamation schemes covering 57.59 acres at present being considered for grant approval in the Yorkshire and Humberside Region. I will, with permission, circulate with the OFFICIAL REPORT the detailed information for which the hon. Member asks.
Following is the information:
337W
§ Mr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much was spent on the reclamation of derelict land in the worst six local authorities in England in each of the last four years.
1968–69 1969–70 1970–71 (expected) £ £ £ Durham County Council and district councils 465,000 437,000 600,000 Northumberland County Council and district councils 113,000 383,000 480,000 Cumberland County Council and district councils 152,000 244,000 250,000 Lancashire County Council only 71,500 50,000 300,000 Yorkshire West Riding County Council and district councils 92,000 75,000 325,000 Derbyshire County Council and district councils 25,000 48,000 260,000 No doubt the authorities will be ready to provide details of expenditure in earlier years if the Hon. Member cares to approach them direct.
§ Mr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much was spent on the reclamation of derelict land in the West Riding area in each of the last four years.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe Yorkshire West Riding county council estimates expenditure by local authorities in its area on derelict land reclamation to be as follows:
£ 1968–69 … 92,000 1969–70 … 75,000 1970–71 (expected) … 325,000
§ Mr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much was spent on the reclamation of derelict land by local authorities in England in each of the last four years.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerA firm estimate of local authority expenditure on the reclamation of derelict land is not readily available before the year 1968–69, when it was £1.2 million. For 1969–70 it was £1.9 million. For 1970–71 the expenditure may reach £3 million.
§ Mr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the number of sites and the total number of acres of derelict land within the
338W
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) Local Authority Local Authority area (acres) Derelict land justifying treatment 31.12.1969 (acres) Percentage (c) of(b) Acreage cleared 1964–1969 Abram Urban District 1,979 592 30 28 Ashton-in-Makerfield Urban District 6,267 300 5 137 Ince-in-Makerfield Urban District 2,320 786 34 97 10,566 1,678 16 262
§ Mr. Peter WalkerI am proposing in the next 12 months to visit six counties which are in the priority areas for the purpose of the treatment of industrial dereliction. I have their estimates of expenditure on derelict land reclamation for three years as follows:
Colne Valley constituency; and what is the number of sites and acres of derelict land which has been cleared or improved in each of the last 10 years.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe local planning authority reported that at the end of 1969 there were 293 acres, of which 134 acres were considered to justify treatment. The number of individual sites was not given. Between 1st January, 1964, and 31st December, 1969, one acre was reported as cleared. Earlier figures were not supplied. Since 1969 three local authority schemes covering 21 acres have been given final approval by the Department for grant purposes, thus allowing work to start.
§ Mr. McGuireasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many acres of derelict land have been cleared in each of the urban districts of Abram, Ashton-in-Makerfield and Ince-in-Makerfield; how many acres still remain in each district; what percentage this constitutes of the total acreage in each town; what is the current rate of Government assistance in reclamation; and what is the total cost to date.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe information requested is shown below:
339WThe current rate of Government grant towards net costs on acquisition and reclamation of derelict land is 75 per cent. Since 1st April, 1967, five reclamation schemes in this area covering 143 acres and estimated to cost £279,000 have been given final approval, allowing work to start.
A further scheme is in progress covering 232 acres and costing £476,000. It is expected to be financially self-supporting because the reclamation will substantially enhance the after-value of the land.