§ Mr. Evennettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has reached a decision on proposals submitted to his urban housing renewal unit by the London borough of Greenwich; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungI am pleased to announce my right hon. Friend's favourable response to a proposal for a scheme on the Barnfield estate in Greenwich which has been worked up in close consultation with my Department's urban housing renewal unit and Greater London housing division.
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§ Mr. John PattenThe information requested is shown in the table.
The council is proposing to open a local management office on the estate, employing six staff, which will look after the day-to-day management of the estate including repairs and maintenance. Localised management is an essential element in measures designed to uplift an estate both in supporting other improvements which are made and in sustaining the benefits of these improvements.
The council has submitted a bid for resources from the unit's targeted housing investment programme allocation for works to improve security on the estate including the provision of entry-phones and security works to doors and windows, I have agreed in principle to an additional HIP allocation of £1,182,800 to cover these works and the establishment of a local estate office. The council is also undertaking a five-year programme of capital repairs to the 568 dwellings on the estate.
I look forward to seeing these proposals being put into effect for the benefit of all the residents of the estate.