§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many acres of land have been obtained, and at what cost, as public open space to compensate the loss to the public of open space as a result of the compulsory purchase order and the building of the Okehampton bypass.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleA total of 5.2 acres of land is being acquired under compulsory purchase powers in exchange for open space land at Bluebell Woods taken for the construction of the bypass. The purchase price is confidential between the Department and the vendor.
My Department has also used its best endeavours to make other purchases of land in mitigation of the effects of the bypass, but has no compulsory powers to do this; 6.2 acres of land have been purchased from British Rail, near Okehampton station; this land is now known as Station Wood and is available to the public. Negotiations with another landowner concerning land near Okehampton castle have proved unsuccessful.