HC Deb 05 December 1988 vol 143 cc21-2W
Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the area of land owned by the Welsh water authority which has been designated as (a) sites of special scientific interest, (b) national parks and (c) areas of outstanding natural beauty.

Mr. Grist

The acreage of land owned by the Welsh water authority within national parks in Wales is as follows:

Acres
Brecon Beacons 13,783
Pembroke Nil
Snowdonia 5,399

Major landholdings in areas of outstanding natural beauty are as follows:

Acres
Lleyn AONB 72
Anglesey AONB 151
Clwydian AONB 206

There is a total of 32 SSSIs on Welsh water authority landholdings of greater than one hectare (2.5 acres) and the total authority landholdings within such areas is about 51,000 acres.

Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the area of land sold by the Welsh water authority as being land surplus to operational requirements for each calendar year since 1983.

Mr. Grist

The information is more readily available on a financial rather than a calendar year basis. The acreage of land disposed of by Welsh water since 1 April 1983 is as follows:

Acres
1983–84 222
1984–85 240
1985–86 113
1986–87 492
1987–88 323
1988 to date 1,001
Total 2,391

Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the area of land owned by the Welsh water authority which is currently registered under the provisions of the Local Government and Planning Act 1981 as being unused or underused.

Mr. Grist

This is a matter for the Welsh water authority. I have asked the chairman to write to the hon. Member.

Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is, in respect of each statutory water company, the area of land which has been designated as(a) sites of special scientific interest, (b) national parks and (c) areas of outstanding natural beauty.

Mr. Grist

These are matters for the statutory water companies. I have asked the chairman of Chester waterworks company and of the Wrexham and East Denbighshire water company to write to the hon. Member.