HC Deb 23 February 1994 vol 238 c266W
Mr. Tyler

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the criteria for eligibility for receipt of the Rural Development Commission's redundant building grant scheme; what were the criteria in April 1992; what parts of the country it covers now; and what parts it covered in April 1992.

Mr. Atkins

[holding answer 21 February 1994]: Virtually any building in a designated rural development area is eligible, provided that it will be used for business purposes when the works are completed. Grants are not, however, available for conversions to, or refurbishment of, residential property, nor for buildings which will be used for agricultural or horticultural purposes. Tourism and leisure projects are eligible, including quality, serviced, overnight accommodation but not small bed-and-breakfast and self-catering developments.

Prior to April 1992, the Rural Development Commission's redundant building grant scheme was available only in the designated rural development areas. The scheme's coverage was extended in April 1992. Areas now eligible are:

  • All rural development areas.
  • All national Parks and the Norfolk Broads.
  • Countryside employment programme areas.
  • The rural coastal strip in the Worthington and Whitehaven areas of Cumbria.
  • Rural parts of the Barrow peninsula, Cumbria.
  • Portland, Dorset.
  • St. Austell and surrounding area.
  • Rural coalfield closure areas in:
    • North East Derbyshire/West Nottinghamshire/South
    • Yorkshire
    • North West Leicestershire/South Derbyshire
    • South East Northumberland
    • East and West Durham
    • Yorkshire
    • North Warwickshire
    • East Kent.

Mr. Tyler

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people are currently in receipt of the Rural Development Commission's redundant building grant scheme; and how many were in receipt in April 1992.

Mr. Atkins

[holding answer 21 February 1994]: At the end of January 1994, the Rural Development Commission had paid £19.89 million in grants to 3,144 redundant building grant projects since the scheme's inception in 1982. At the beginning of April 1992 the comparable figures were £15. 7 million to 2,723 projects.