HC Deb 21 February 1996 vol 272 cc134-5W
Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what resources to date have been applied by his Department to(a) the Cowgate estate action scheme, Newcastle, (b) Y. V. Lovell plc, (c) North British Housing, (d) other housing associations in the area and (e) the city of Newcastle upon Tyne. [16084]

Sir Paul Beresford

Since 1990, the Department has provided resources to a number of bodies involved in the renewal scheme at Cowgate estate, Newcastle upon Tyne as follows:

  1. (a) Estate Action: £4.500 million
  2. (b) Y.V. Lovell plc: £1.300 million (City Grant)
  3. (c) City of Newcastle: £3.200 million (Urban Programme)

In addition, the Housing Corporation has provided the following housing association grant:

  1. (a) Anchor Housing: £1.500 million
  2. (b) North British: £3.700 million.

There has also been some £6 million private investment in the Cowgate renewal scheme.

Altogether, over 900 homes have been improved or created on the estate, together with significant environmental improvements.

Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the estate action schemes in the city of Newcastle and in the case of each show the(a) number of dwelling units (i) cleared, (ii) improved and (iii) built and (b) number of dwelling units transferred from the ownership of Newcastle upon Tyne city council to (i) housing association ownership and (ii) other owners. [16095]

Sir Paul Beresford

The information requested is provided in the table.

Estate Action Schemes—Newcastle
(a) Number of dwelling units (b) Number of dwellings transferred
Scheme Year Started (1) Cleared (2) Improved (3) Built (1) To Housing Association (1) To Other
Loadman St. Central Area 1990–91 92 14 0 0 0
Loadman St. Ph 3 1990–91 0 124 0 0 0
Cowgate Ph. 1,2,3 1990–91 61 278 96 47 81
North Kenton Ph 4 1991–92 20 140 0 60 80
Bentinck Road Ph 3 1991–92 0 54 0 0 0
Rye Hill East 1992–93 51 27 0 0 0
Newbiggen Hall 1992–93 0 72 0 0 75
Cowgate Ph 4 1992–93 0 371 0 0 104
Jubilee Estate 1993–94 0 212 0 86 0
Ferquson Lane Ph 3 1994–95 32 94 100 0 0
Newbiggin Hall Ph 2 1994–95 39 141 32 21 0
Lower Scotswood Ph 2 1994–95 43 243 0 0 0

Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the city of Newcastle upon Tyne applied under section 195 of the Housing Act 1988 for funds to support the purchase of properties in the Cowgate estate action area; and when he expects to give a decision. [16096]

Sir Paul Beresford

City of Newcastle upon Tyne council applied to the Secretary of State on 20 December 1995 for consent under section 129 of the Housing Act 1988 to run a cash incentive scheme for current council tenants buying owner-occupied properties on the Cowgate estate. The application is under consideration and a decision will be made shortly.

Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what sums were spent by Y. V. Lovell plc with estate action fund support on the purchase of land and buildings in the Cowgate estate action area; and how many housing units were so purchased. [16085]

Sir Paul Beresford

Y. V. Lovell plc received no estate action fund support for the purchase of land and buildings in the Cowgate estate. It did, however, receive city grant of £1.3 million for the improvement of 192 former council houses for sale on the open market. Information about the purchase of land and buildings by Lovell plc from the city council is commercially confidential.