§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now serve listed building repair notices on the owner of Heveningham hall.
§ Sir George Young[holding answer 13 May 1991]: No. I have been advised by the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England that the restoration work at Heveningham hall is being carried out to a satisfactory standard.
§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent representations he has received about the sale and present condition of Heveningham hall; and what response he has made.
§ Sir George Young[holding answer 13 May 1991]: Since March of this year, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has received six letters regarding the sale and present condition of Heveningham hall. All six letters focus on his right of pre-emption in the event of the present owners wishing to sell Heveningham hall or part of it within 21 years from the date of the conveyance—November 1981. However, there is no reason to believe that the present owners will wish to sell the property in the foreseeable future. The owner's agents, Gulf Park Property management Ltd. have advised that the Al Ghazzi family intend to go on using the hall. This information has been passed on to the authors of the letters. In addition, two of the letters mention the poor condition of the gardens and car park and criticise the quality of interior furnishings. We have explained to the authors that these are subjective matters which do not affect the integrity of the property as a listed building. I understand that good progress is being made with the restoration of the building itself.
71W
§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to serve a compulsory purchase order on Heveningham hall.
§ Sir George Young[holding answer 13 May 1991]: No. There is no case for serving a compulsory purchase order on Heveningham hall.