§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners, what process of consultation with land users is followed when church land is sold for development.
§ Mr. AlisonThe consultation procedure depends on the category of Church land to be sold. In the case of glebe land, the relevant diocesan board of finance is the owner and, under the Endowments and Glebe Measure 1976, they are legally required to notify the incumbent (or, if the594W living is vacant, the churchwardens) who may make representations to the Commissioners. It would also be usual for the board to consult tenants, though they are not required by the measure to do so.
The local planning authority will follow its own consultation procedures in relation to any application for planning permission.
§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners, how much land has been sold by the Lincoln Diocese Board in each of the latest three available years; and how much was raised by the sales.
§ Mr. AlisonDetails of glebe sales in Lincoln diocese for 1988–90 are:
Acres Proceeds (£) 1988 429 794,874 1989 558 1,349,604 1990 433 1,641,834
§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners, how much land has been sold by the Church Commissioners in each of the three latest available years; how much was raised in each of the three years by sales; and how much was reinvested in land.
§ Mr. AlisonSales and purchases of agricultural land for 1987–89 are shown in the following table. They reflect the Commissioners' stated policy of releasing capital for reinvestment in other sectors, through sales of vacant farms as opportunities arise.
Acres sold Net sale proceeds £ million Acres purchased Net cost of purchases £ 1987 835 4.2 Nil Nil 1988 3,121 11.9 65 147,000 1989 4,791 16.1 14 9,000
§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners, what representations the Church Commissioners have received from residents and allotment holders about the sale of church land on the Boulthness Glebe in Lincoln; and what action they propose to take to meet representatives of the allotment holders and local councillors to discuss the sale.
§ Mr. AlisonI believe that the property that the hon. Member has in mind is at Boultham. The Commissioners have not received any representations about the sale of church land there and have no plans to meet allotment holders or local councillors.
I understand, however, that the Lincoln diocesan board of finance has submitted a planning application for residential development of part of the glebe land and the creation of a wildlife habitat on the remainder. The board will forward any consequent sale proposals to the Commissioners, whose consent is required under the Endowments and Glebe Measure 1976.