§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what grant he has approved in connection with the improvement of permanent traveller caravan sites in Bradford; and how many additional pitches are to be provided under the improvement plans; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Yeo[holding answer 17 December 1990]: Phase I improvements for the Mary street site in Bradford were given approval in February 1988 in the sum of £183,449. The works were to improve the existing site and to provide eight new pitches. They have now been completed.
Phase II and III improvements to the same site were approved in October 1990 in the sum of £643,506. These works will produce further site improvements and an additional four new pitches, bringing the total pitches on this site to 28.
I understand that Bradford city council will also shortly be submitting an application for improvements to the Esholt lane site at Baildon.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment in what circumstances he can withdraw designation agreed under the caravans Act; in what circumstances a local authority granted designation can request him to withdraw or rescind designation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Yeo[ holding answer 17 December 1990]: The Secretary of State may designate a local authority under 118W the Caravan Sites Act 1968 when he considers that adequate sites for gipsies are provided in its area, or that it is not necessary or expedient to make such provision. He may revoke the designation order, by further order, either on the formal application of the authority which made the original application, or without such an application.
It is open to anybody to seek to persuade the Secretary of State that the circumstances in which the designation order was made are no longer applicable, and that the order should thus be revoked.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information has been supplied to his Department about the extent of permanent caravan site provision for travellers established or planned by each local authority in Yorkshire and Humberside; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Yeo[holding answer 17 December 1990]: From the information supplied annually to my Department by local authorities, the extent of permanent caravan site provision for travellers by local authorities in Yorkshire and Humberside is as follows:
Authority and site Number of pitches Humberside Beverley (Harland Way, Cottingham) 26 Kingston-upon-Hull (Bedford Street, Wilmington) 24 North Yorkshire Richmondshire (Limekiln Wood, Catterick) 14 Ryedale (Clifton) 20 Ryedale (Malton) 14 Ryedale (Osbaldwick) 12 Selby (Burn) 12 Selby (Carlton) 12 Hambleton (Seamer) 16 Former County of South Yorkshire Barnsley (Smithies Lane) 20 Doncaster (Armthorpe) 20 Doncaster (Black Bank, Doncaster Carr) 1 246 Doncaster (Nursery Lane, Sprotbrough) 114 Rotherham (North Anston) 16 Sheffield (Broad Oaks) 112 Sheffield (Holbrook Industrial Estate) 115 Sheffield (Redmires) 16 Sheffield (Tinsley Park Road) 110 Former County of West Yorkshire Bradford (Birkshall Lane/Bowling Back Lane) 24 Bradford (Esholt Lane, Baildon) 16 Leeds (Cottingley Springs 'A') 20 Leeds (Cottingley Springs 'B') 36 Wakefield (Heath Caravan Park, Doncaster Road) 329 1 Indicates temporary site. 2 6 transit. 3 22 transit. The following authorities also have schemes for refurbishment of existing sites or the development of new sites at some stage of the grant application process:
- City of Bradford Metropolitan Council
- Humberside County Council
- North Yorkshire County Council
- City of Sheffield Metropolitan District Council
- Wakefield Metropolitan District Council
In addition, officers of the Department have had discussions with the following authorities where further gipsy site proposals are at an early stage:
- Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale
- Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council
- Kirklees Metropolitan Council
119 - Leeds City Council
- City of Sheffield Metropolitan Council
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with representatives of organisations concerning the designation of Bradford under the caravans Act; what discussions he intends holding to discuss this matter; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Yeo[holding answer 17 December 1990]: Bradford metropolitan district was designated under section 12 of the Caravan Sites Act 1968, with effect from 30 May 1990. I have not held discussions subsequently with any organisations concerning this designation and have no plans to do so.