§ Mr. Raffanasked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he proposes to introduce the new urban regeneration grant scheme in Wales; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Mark RobinsonI am pleased to say that we have today launched the urban regeneration grant scheme in Wales. This new grant mechanism is available to help bring forward significant new developments by the private sector on large sites in inner urban areas. The mechanism will work in broadly the same way as urban development grant, although URG does not need to be submitted through a local authority. Although approved URG projects may be relatively few in number, they will be an important adjunct to those existing funding sources which already contribute to the rejuvenation of the inner urban environment in Wales.