§ 46. Mr. Stanbrookasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to discourage the erection of tower blocks for residential purposes.
§ Mr. FreesonI have often stated my strong opposition to the provision of high or medium rise flats and excessive density developments for families with children; and have taken action to stop such provision by local authorities or housing associations, and urging alternative use for existing high rise, high density stock. On the latest available figures, only about 1.5 per cent. of tenders approved by my Department are for blocks of five or more storeys, virtually none of which is for family accommodation. This compares224W with over 20 per cent. a few years ago. High rise flats can serve a useful purpose—for example, for housing single people, or childless couples—but they are generally not suitable for families with young children.