Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) when compensation will be agreed and owners paid for lands vested for the central car park in Limavady;
(2) when the decision was taken by the Limavady Urban Council to construct the central car park in Limavady;
(3) what was the date of vesting of lands for the central car park in Limavady;
(4) what is the total area of land vested for the central car park in Limavady;
(5) how many persons have had their lands vested for the central car park in Limavady;
(6) who gave instructions to the district valuer to proceed with the valuation of the lands vested for the central car park in Limavady; and when these instructions were given;
(7) how many offers have been made to the former owners of the lands to be used for the central car park in Limavady; and how many have been accepted and how many rejected;
(8) when he expects the central car park in Limavady to be completed; and what are the present reasons for delay.
§ Mr. Carter,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 17th January 1977; Vol. 924, c. 40], gave the following information:
The decision to construct the central car park at Limavady was taken at a meeting of the planning committee of Limavady Urban District Council on 2nd November 1970. A vesting order in respect of 8,115 sq yards—6,785 sq metres—or around 1⅔ acres of land, was signed on 12th February 1976 and 113W became operative on 22nd March 1976. 41 persons have had portions of their lands vested. The Northern Ireland Department of the Environment issued instructions to the district valuer to proceed with the valuation of the lands vested on 2nd March 1976. Compensation will be agreed when the owners of lands vested make a claim and accept the offer of the valuation office or the award of the Lands Tribunal. After agreement has been reached and the legal formalities completed, the owners will be paid.
On 15th June 1976, the Northern Ireland Department of the Environment wrote to each landowner enclosing claims forms and requesting the owner to complete his claim or to have it completed by his solicitor or agent and to return the completed claim to the Department. So far seven claims have been received, of which four have been passed to the valuation office. An offer has been made to one of the claimants but this offer has been rejected.
It is hoped that the car park will be completed by early summer. Before the demolition contractor could gain access to the site, two houses had to be demolished. The houses were vacated by 3rd January 1977 and the contractor commenced work on 5th January. Work is proceeding on the clearing of the land.