§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, further to the answer of 10 July,Official Report, column 358, who purchased the 39 prison officers' houses at Culcheth: why they had remained vacant for between seven and eight years; and at what price he expects to sell the six houses that became vacant during 1988–89.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe 39 prison officers' houses at Culcheth were purchased by Beazer Urban Developments Limited. Properties had remained vacant and surplus to requirements for between seven and eight years for a variety of reasons. These included the need to ascertain whether any would be needed to accommodate staff from the new prison at Thorn Cross, which opened in 1985; the need to clarify the requirements of the local authority as regards upgrading the roads and sewers to make them suitable for adoption; and the need to negotiate an easement for a new rising pumped main through adjoining land. The prices of the six houses that became vacant during 1988–89 have yet to be finally determined by the district valuer, but are likely to be in the region of £45,000 for the five three bedroom semi-detached houses, and £30,000 for the two bedroom semi-detached house.