HC Deb 04 December 1997 vol 302 cc288-9W
Mr. Pearson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the advice of the West Midlands Regional Forum of Local Authorities on housing provision; and if he will issue an amendment to Regional Planning Guidance II. [19508]

Mr. Caborn

The Forum is to be congratulated on the comprehensive nature of its advice and its involvement of the House Builders Federation and the Council for the Protection of Rural England in its formulation.

We have concluded that further Regional Planning Guidance on housing provision in the West Midlands is required. We expect to issue this early in the new year. I will write to the hon. Members at that time and place a copy of the amendment in the Library of the House.

We have concluded that provision should be made for 335,000 dwellings in the region between 1991 and 2011 including replacements and conversions to be redistributed as set out below. This is broadly in line with the advice received from the Forum but we take the view that the metropolitan area has the capacity to make slightly higher provision than they proposed. This would have benefits both for urban regeneration and protection of the countryside. In amending the guidance we will want to set out clear policies that authorities should pursue in their development plans to increase the amount of housing on previously developed land, to make provision for affordable housing and to ensure sustainable locations for housing development within transport corridors.

Annual average of housing provisions for west midlands region 1991–2011
Number
Regional total 16,750
Herefordshire 825
Worcestershire 2,065
Shropshire 2,400
Annual average of housing provisions for west midlands region 1991–2011
Number
Staffordshire 3,520
Warwickshire 2,035
Shire County total 10,845
Birmingham 2,325
Coventry 555
Dudley 620
Sandwell 890
Solihull 505
Walsall 505
Wolverhampton 505
Metropolitan total 5,905

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