§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales on how much of the 200 acres designated for housing in the valleys, housebuilding has started; at what sites; for how many dwellings; of what approximate final selling cost; and by what private companies or housing associations.
§ Mr. Peter Walker[holding answer 8 March 1989]: The current total figure for Land Authority for Wales land designated for housing in the valleys programme area is 245 acres.
Since the start of the programme the authority has sold or contracted to sell sites totalling 27 acres at Penpedairheol and Pontypandy, which will result in approximately 170 new starts on dwellings in the first year of the programme and are as follows:
- i. Penpedairheol (19 acres)—purchased by Wimpey.
- Start 1st phase, 90 dwellings, week commencing 20 March 1989.
- Selling price—complete range of dwelling types from 2 bedroomed terraced to 4 bedroomed detached from £40,000–£95,000.
- ii. Pontypandy, 8 acres—purchased jointly by Eastlake and Deri Homes, Caerphilly.
- Start 80 dwellings mid summer 1989.
- Selling price 30 per cent. under £40,000; 40 per cent. £40,000–£55,000; 30 per cent. £60,000–£75,000.
The land authority anticipates bringing forward 40 acres per annum, mid-year to mid-year, to cater for all sectors of the housing market and envisage further sales will take place between now and the middle of the current year.
In addition to disposing of its existing land bank in the area, the authority is actively investigating the purchase of additional sites throughout the programme area, and are also discussing co-operative ventures with Tai Cymru and the WDA.