§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment by what date he plans to remove the Surrey docks peninsula from designation as part of the London docklands development area; and what procedures apply to this removal. [29199]
§ Mr. CurryOur aim is to remove Surrey docks peninsula from the docklands urban development area, and to transfer planning and development control powers to the London borough of Southwark, with effect from 31 December 1996. This accords with the target timetable outlined in my predecessor's letter of 15 February 1994 to the hon. Member.
The procedures are the same as those which applied to the removal of Bermondsey Riverside from the UDA. First, there are comprehensive discussions between the London borough of Southwark and the London Docklands development corporation to bring forward detailed proposals for handling all LDDC's assets and liabilities and for ensuring the on-going regeneration of the area. These discussions are now at an advanced stage for the Surrey docks peninsula and I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as they are concluded.
483WSubject to the agreement of all parties to the detailed withdrawal proposals, consultations with the London borough of Southwark and LDDC will be undertaken on a draft statutory order under section 134(3A) and (5) of the Local Government Planning and Land Act 1980, as amended by section 179 of the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993. The order will alter the UDA boundary and transfer planning and development control powers.
We expect to lay the order in late November to early December 1996. It is subject to the negative resolution procedure.