§ Mr. HawkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will 543W introduce new legislation giving local authorities powers for the immediate removal of those illegally in occupation of green belt land; and if he will make a statement. [34596]
§ Ms Keeble[holding answer 8 February 2002]: Local authorities already have at their disposal a range of planning enforcement powers if they consider that an unacceptable breach of planning control has occurred. These powers include the ability to seek a planning injunction in the High Court or county court, to restrain any actual or expected breach of planning control. The exercise of enforcement powers is at the local authority's discretion. The powers apply irrespective of whether the land benefits from any special designation such as green belt.
Entering on to land without the owner's consent constitutes trespass. The owner of the land may bring a civil action for trespass before the courts and seek recovery of the land. Clearly where a local authority owns the land concerned, it is open to that authority to pursue
£ million Nature of funding 5 May 94–2 May 97 2 May 97–7 May 98 7 May 98–11 Feb 02 Revenue Support Grant1 166.581 121.880 506.021 Income form National Domestic Rates2 122.235 90.650 426.346 Housing Investment Programme 58.280 15.962 50.368 Housing Revenue Account Subsidy n/a n/a 16.629 Capital Receipts Initiative3 n/a 1.714 11.567 Cash Incentive Scheme4 0.200 n/a n/a Loan Charges Defective Housing5 4.493 1.498 5.990 SRB Funding6 2.446 3.892 24.150 Local Transport Plan Settlement7 3.079 4.574 21.287 New Deal for Communities8 n/a n/a 3.617 Objective 2 Funding9 n/a n/a 8.717 Urban 1 Funding10 n/a n/a 2.101 Neighbourhood Renewal Funding11 n/a n/a 0.850 Community Empowerment Fund12 n/a n/a 0.062 Community Chest13 n/a n/a 0.100 Workplace and Travel Plan Co-ordinators14 n/a n/a 0.030 Estate Action15 6.990 n/a n/a 1 From 1996–97 Bristol became a unitary authority and took on greater responsibilities. 2 See 1. 3 The Capital Receipts Initiative started in 1997–98 and ran for three years to 1999–2000 before being swallowed up by the single housing pot. 4 Supplementary Credit Approval for the Cash Incentive Scheme ceased in 1998–99. There is no information available prior to 1996–97. 5 The figure for 2001–02 is provisional at this stage as it is claimed retrospectively. 6 SRB figures are for a variety of projects over the six rounds of SRB funding. 7 The figure given is for 1996–97. There is no information available prior to 1995–96 when an Avon Area Package was given £10,856 million. See additional information for East Bristol specific schemes. 8 This figure is the total forecast spend at the end of 31 March 2002. Additional information about NDC can be found in the additional information. 9 See additional information for projects approved so far that will have an impact on East Bristol. 10 Examples of projects funded by Urban in the East Bristol Constituency are in the additional information. 11 See additional information. 12 See additional information. 13 See additional information. 14 See additional information. 15 This programme continued under the Single Regeneration Budget following 1995. Additional Information
New Deal for Communities
NDC is a 10-year programme that will bring an additional £50 million of government funding to support regeneration of the Dings, Redfield, Barton Hill and Lawrence Hill areas of Bristol. The programme supports a plan that brings together local people, community and voluntary organisations, public agencies, local authorities
544Wrecovery through this route. The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 provides a further route through which local authorities (and the police) can seek eviction.