HC Deb 28 January 1988 vol 126 cc375-6W
Mr. David Shaw

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what resources are being made available under the derelict land programme in 1988–89; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ridley

The resources available for derelict land reclamation under the derelict land grant programme will be about £76.2 million in 1988–89. In real terms, these resources are over 80 per cent. greater than those available in 1979–80 and will maintain the momentum of this programme which, since 1979, has funded the reclamation of nearly 11,000 hectares of derelict land. Additional resources for derelict land reclamation are provided through urban development corporations. As in previous years, more than 90 per cent. of derelict land grant will be spent in the areas of greatest need in the north and midlands.

I am keen to encourage the growing participation of private firms in land reclamation and I have set aside an allocation of £7.66 million for this sector. But, outside UDC areas, local authorities will continue to play the major role in reclamation and the resources I have made available for these schemes total £68.27 million.

I have approved a new rolling programme for the reclamation of the extensive areas of dereliction in the Leeds-Liverpool canal corridor, while continuing existing rolling programmes outside UDC areas. Total expenditure on the 13 local authority rolling programmes approved for 1988–89 will be over £21 million.

I have allocated a further £8.75 million to continue support for the reclamation of the former Consett and Corby steelworks (£3.75 million), and to investigative and remedial works on limestone workings in the black country (£5 million). The non-local authority allocation will allow further work to be carried out on major schemes such as the north Tees power station in Cleveland (£0.495 million) and the former Dunlop site at Speke, Merseyside (£0.4 million).

My allocations include more than £8 million for the reclamation of coal-mining and related dereliction. This is larger even than year's record figure and shows the Government's continued support for good quality schemes in coalfield areas.

Priorities for derelict land reclamation remain as set out in my Department's circular 28/85—"Reclamation and Re-use of Derelict Land". 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 which will be supported in 1988–89.