§ Mr. Bellasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the Northern Ireland Housing Executive's estimates for the Unity flats of (a) the total cost of refurbishing the whole complex and (b) the average cost per dwelling, including loan and interest charges for refurbishment, given a 30-year estimated life span.
§ Mr. NeedhamThis is a matter for the chairman of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive who has advised me144W that (a) the total estimated works cost of refurbishing the whole complex is approximately £5.25 million, which is an average cost per dwelling of between £18,000 and £19,000; and (b) the estimated average unit cost including loan and interest charges over 25 years would be £50,000.
§ Mr. Bellasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the Northern Ireland Housing Executive's detailed results and estimates of the cost-benefit analysis it agreed to complete for the Unity Flats Tenants' Association last June into comparing the total costs of demolition and redevelopment for the Unity flats complex as compared with the total costs of refurbishment including the isolation of the blocks.
§ Mr. NeedhamThis is a matter for the chairman of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive who has advised me that the detailed results are not yet available.
§ Mr. Bellasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the areas of land zoned for industrial and residential use in the immediate vicinity of Unity flats including the area between Upper Library street, Carlisle circus, Clifton street, Donegall street, Upper North street and Royal avenue.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe current Belfast urban area plan has no zoning indications for the area in question. In the absence of zoning indications, the presumption is that the current land use will continue, but any planning indication for change of use would be considered on its merits.
§ Mr. Bellasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many residents of Unity flats have been subject to action under the Payment for Debt (Emergency Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) in each year for which information is available.
§ Mr. ScottThe information is not available in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. Bellasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the figures for the number of dwellings in Unity flats (a) occupied, (b) under occupied, (c) overcrowded and (d) vacant at the most recent date for which figures are available.
§ Mr. NeedhamThis is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. I understand from the chairman that at 6 March 1987, 254 dwellings were occupied and 31 were vacant. Information is not available about the extent of any under-occupation or overcrowding.
§ Mr. Bellasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many residents of Unity flats have received (a) certificate housing benefits, (b) standard housing benefits and (c) housing benefit supplement since 1983 for each year; and what have been the total amounts in each category paid to the Unity residents since the introduction of the scheme.
§ Mr. NeedhamI am informed by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive that this information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. Bellasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people from the waiting list by category are currently on the waiting list seeking (a) transfer out of Unity and (b) a transfer into Unity; and of these categories if he will list by numbers their areas of preference.
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§ Mr. NeedhamThis is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. I understand from the chairman that there are currently 65 applications for transfer out of the Unity complex and 63 applications for transfers into the Unity complex. The more detailed information sought could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Bell asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many repairs by type and category are carried out annually in Unity flats for the years in which information is available;
(2) if he will list the type and number of repair requests made by the residents of Unity to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive for the past five years to date.
§ Mr. NeedhamThis is a matter for the chairman of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive who has advised me that information in the form requested is not readily available and could be compiled only at disproportionate cost. He has advised me, however, that approximately 1,200 repair requests are processed annually; the most common requests relate to dampness, wind and weather proofing difficulties, condensation, and various internal defects.