§ Mr. George HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 4 July 2001,Official Report, columns 158–59W, what his definition is of "surplus to requirements" in the context of building on open space; and if he will make a statement. [3173]
§ Ms KeebleThe consultation draft of PPG17 (paragraph 15) lists the range of valuable functions that open space can perform within urban areas. If individual areas of open space no longer fulfil any of these functions, then they may be "surplus to requirements" and local authorities may consider whether they should be made available for development. Development may also be allowed on areas of open space where an exchange of land takes place to compensate for the lost open space. In particular, this may be appropriate where it will allow the release of a site for development needed to meet other economic and social objectives identified locally.
We are currently considering the responses made to the consultation draft of PPG17. We hope to publish the final version by the end of this year.