§ Mr. Steenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made in the urban 520W development corporations set up in Merseyside and London docklands; and what resources have been spent or allocated in each of the years 1981–82, 1982–83 and 1983–84, respectively.
§ Mr. KingThe orders establishing the Merseyside Development Corporation and the London Docklands Development Corporation came into operation on 25 March 1981 and 2 July 1981 respectively. Both corporations have made substantial progress in the task of regenerating their designated urban development areas.
The MDC has acquired 596 acres of disused land, and has started work on the restoration and reclamation of the disused South Docks. In Bootle a former goods yard has been reclaimed and is being marketed for port-related industry; 39 small industrial units have been completed on the Millers bridge site, which is being developed in co-operation with a private sector developer. 60 small industrial units are being provided, also in conjunction with the private sector, through the conversion of a transit shed owned by MDC in the south west Brunswich dock.
Developers have shown interest in the conversion of the historic Albert dock warehouses, restoration of which will play an important part in the redevelopment of the adjacent areas.
The International Garden Festival of Liverpool 1984 will occupy half of the 250 acres of derelict land in the riverside area now being reclaimed. This will be the first event of its kind in the United Kingdom, with a gross cost of £16 million, and is expected to attract 3 million visitors. It will provide a major boost to the Merseyside economy.
The LDDC has acquired 868 acres of largely derelict and underused land. Site investigation, site preparation and river wall works are being carried out on 349 acres, at a cost of £14 million. Construction of 7km of roads costing £8 million is underway and another £8 million has been spent on the provision of essential services.
Within the Isle of Dogs enterprise zone, which came into existence on 26 April 1982, LDDC has been carrying out major infrastructure works at a cost of £7 million and has demolished 1 million sq ft of obsolete sheds and structures. Over 100 acres of land have been released to the market. 250,000 sq ft of factory space are being built, on 13 acres; and 55 firms are providing over 200 jobs in existing LDDC-owned buildings and the Cannon workshops development.
LDDC has spent 10 million on environmental improvements throughout its area, over £7 million on assistance to voluntary groups and the provision of community facilities.
The corporation has also arranged and provided the land for the first large-scale development of housing for sale in London's Docklands since the war. Private builders have developed a 22-acre site in Beckton for 601 houses and flats, 450 of which have been completed and sold. Work has started on sites released by LDDC for over 1,000 further homes in Beckton and the Surrey docks area. The emphasis in these developments is on housing in the lower price ranges. One third of the first 120 dwellings to be occupied in Beckton were bought by people who were previously council tenants.
The Government are also supporting the proposed provision of a light rail system by LDDC and the GLC costing £77 million, to link the Isle of Dogs with the City 521W of London and Mile End. Parliamentary powers are being sought. This scheme will have a major impact on the development potential of Docklands.
Expenditure by both UDCs in 1981–82 and 1982–83, and the provision for 1983–84 is as follows:
1981–82 1982–83 1983–89 Outturn (£ million) Estimated Outturn (£ million) Provision £ million) LDDC 31.7 40.4 40.5 MDC 5.0 20.8 26.8 Both UDCs 36.7 61.2 67.3