HC Deb 28 January 1987 vol 109 cc236-7W
Mr. Ottaway

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what resources are being made available for derelict land reclamation in 1987–88; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Patten

The resources available for derelict land reclamation in 1987–88 will be about £81.14 million compared with 78.38 million at the beginning of 1986–87 and about double in real terms the £23.5 million available in 1979–80. Of this, £75 million (92 per cent.) will be spent in the north, north-west, Yorkshire and Humberside, west midlands and east midlands.

I have increased the allocation for grant to the private sector and nationalised industries by over two thirds, to £9.55 million. Resources for local authority schemes are slightly lower than in 1986–87, at £71.3 million. This is well justified by the level of interest shown by private firms and by the value for money that can be obtained from using scarce public resources in partnership with the private sector.

Local authorities retain a major role in reclamation, so I have approved a further three rolling programmes to enable authorities to tackle areas of extensive dereliction in Rotherham, Sunderland and Barrow. Total expenditure on the 16 programmes now approved will be over £29 million next year. This will enable local authorities to tackle dereliction on an area basis more effectively than could be achieved on a scheme by scheme basis.

I have allocated a further £10 million to continue support for the reclamation of the former Consett and Corby steel works (5.3 million), and investigation and remedial works on limestone workings in the Black Country (£5 million).

The allocations include over £7 million for the reclamation of coal tip and related dereliction. Following the "Coal and the Environment" (1981) report, this is the largest amount made available in any year, and demonstrates the Government's continued support for good quality schemes in coalfield areas.

Priorities for derelict land reclamation continue to be as set out in my Department's circular, "Reclamation for Re-use of Derelict Land (28/85)". This stressed the importance of schemes designed to reclaim urban, especially inner city land for housing and industrial and commercial end uses. These priorities will be reflected in the schemes to be supported in 1987–88.