§ Miss Geraldine SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made in meeting targets for housing on recycled land in the north-west. [94533]
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§ Mr. RaynsfordThe Department's Land Use Change Statistics show that, in 1994, 57% of new dwellings were built on previously developed land in the north-west, but these figures exclude conversions from existing buildings. The existing Regional Planning Guidance for the region emphasises the importance of channelling growth back into the main urban areas, but gives no targets. This guidance is currently being reviewed, and the issue of an appropriate target for the reuse of previously developed land and buildings for housing is under consideration.