HC Deb 10 July 1989 vol 156 cc402-4W
Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the acreage of land leased with St. John's lodge to which the public do not have free access; what was the equivalent acreage in 1979; and whether any changes have been requested by the current lesses.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

[holding answer 6 July 1989]: St. John's lodge with its associated buildings and private gardens occupy approximately 24 acres and are owned by the Crown Estate. That position has not changed since 1979. The Government have agreed with the Crown Estate that the present access route from the Inner Circle to the gardens behind the lodge will be closed to the public and a new public access route provided further to the east. This will not affect the area of Regent's park to which the public are admitted.

Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total land acreage of Regent's park to which the public have free access and what was the equivalent figure in 1979.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

[holding answer 6 July 1989]: The public have free access to approximately 253 of the 358 acres of Regent's park.

The figures have not changed since 1979.

Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what was the total income from Regent's park in the way of leases, concessions, franchises and charges, respectively in 1978–79 and each successive year;

(2) what was the total spending by his Department on Regent's park in 1978–79 and each succeeding year.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

[holding answer 6 July 1989]: Detailed income and expenditure figures for individual Royal parks are available only from 1987–88. The figures for Regent's park are as follows:

1987–88 1988–89 (provisional)
£ £
Total Expenditure 1,884,902 2,027,222
Total Income 137,485 144,631

These figures exclude some items of income and expenditure, such as the costs of policing the Royal parks, which are recorded centrally.

Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) when London zoo first asked to be allowed to take over a further 10 acres of Regent's park;

(2) whether any users of Regent's park have been consulted about the use of an extra 10 acres of the park by London zoo;

(3) what considerations his Department will use in assessing which 10 acres of Regent's park can be taken over by London zoo.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

[holding answer 6 July 1989]: The suggestion that the Zoological Society of London should take over an extra ten acres of land under the terms of the Crown Estate Act 1961, arose in considering the consultant's report on the scope for improving the zoo's financial performance and led to my right hon. Friend's announcement on 11 May 1988. In agreeing the location of the ten acres we shall be concerned to minimise the impact on the park and to protect the historic landscape as far as possible. The Zoological Society of London has consulted local residents and amenity groups on the principle of the 10 acres. As soon as further plans have been developed, the Society will ensure that the views of local individuals and groups are sought again.

Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether any request has been received by his Department to take over part of Regent's park besides the request by London zoo.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

[holding answer 6 July 1989]: The Crown Estate has asked to take over a piece of parkland of approximately 50 square metres on the edge of the Outer Circle near Hanover Gate Lodge. This will allow access to six villas being built by the Crown Estate on land that it owns. In exchange, the Crown Estate is making available for park use a small section of garden of similar size next to Chalbert Gate footbridge. This will improve the presentation of that area. There will be no loss of public amenity.

Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether any request has been received to block any path, entrance or route within the outer circle of Regent's park.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

[holding answer, 6 July 1989]: No such request has been receiwd. London zoo's proposals to use an additional ten acres of Regent's park currently include an extension of the southern boundary of the zoo. This would require the rerouting of the existing footpath outside that boundary along the new perimeter line.

Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his Department has any plans to charge for access to any part of Regent's park to which the public have free access at present.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

[holding answer 6 July 1989]: No.