§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proposals he has to amend regional planning guidance in the north-west to allow local authorities to encourage the allocation of land zoned for industrial use to be used for housing. [63149]
§ Mr. McNultyThe Secretary of State's Proposed Changes to draft Regional Planning Guidance for the north-west were published on 20 May 2002. Policy UR5. This calls on local authorities to review existing commitments in development plans so that a realistic balance can be found between catering for strategic investments, providing for local indigenous economic growth and in meeting the broader social requirements of urban renaissance. Land that is no longer needed for business purposes could be put to alternate uses such as housing, with possibly a mix of uses considered.
§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the Government's new target is for the number of houses to be built in the north-west by 2021; and by how much this has changed from previous targets. [63152]
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§ Mr. McNultyThe Secretary of State published proposed changes to draft Regional Planning Guidance for the north-west on 20 May 2002. These changes reduced the annual rate of housing provision form that in draft RPG by 15 per cent. The annualised average rate of housing provision for the region is 12,790 dwellings. The annualised figures apply to the period up to 2006 reflecting the 'plan, monitor and manage' approach set out in PPG3 which moves away from the previous 'predict and provide' approach. The proposed changes give weight to avoiding any premature release of greenfield land which would undermine attempts to promote the use of recycled land and the redevelopment of existing unfit and unpopular housing. Tackling low demand and abandonment lies at the heart of the revised strategy. The Secretary of State, in the consultation, on the proposed changes has requested views on whether the changes are sufficient to prevent the unnecessary release of greenfield land or whether there should be further changes to reflect the recommendations made by the Transport, Local Government and Regions Committee in its report on empty homes that no new planning permissions should be granted for greenfield sites.
§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister how the cost of the planned reduction of new houses in the north-west region will be distributed among local authorities in the north-west; and if brownfield sites will be treated more favourably than greenfield sites. [63383]
§ Mr. McNultyThe Secretary of State's Proposed Changes to Draft Regional Planning Guidance for the north-west were published on 20 May 2002. The distribution of housing provision in the region is dealt with in Policy UR7. The broad split, set out as annual average rates of provision net of clearance, is as follows
Manchester/Salford/Liverpool: 2,990Rest of Greater Manchester, Merseyside plus the Unitary Authorities of Halton and Warrington: 4,310Cheshire (exc. Halton and Warrington), Cumbria and Lancashire: 5,490.A more detailed breakdown is available in Table 5.1 of the proposed changes to Regional Planning Guidance for the north-west.
The Government are committed to maximising the re-use of previously developed land and the conversion of existing buildings to promote regeneration and minimise the amount of greenfield land being taken for development. Policy UR4 of the proposed draft Regional Planning Guidance regional brownfield target of at least 70 per cent. has been set. This varies from 90 per cent. in Liverpool/Manchester/Salford to 50 per cent. in Cumbria. Further investment will be needed to meet these challenging targets and the Northwest Development Agency's strategies will need to be integrated with those of local planning and housing authorities to regenerate urban areas with mixed and balanced communities.
§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister for what reason his Department cut the number of houses to be built in the north-west region to 12,790; what effect he estimates their decision will have on the area; what account was taken of the north-west regional development agency's aim of encouraging more employment in the north-west in making this change; and if he will review his decision after the first year of operation. [63151]
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§ Mr. McNultyThe Secretary of State's Proposed Changes to draft Regional Planning Guidance for the north-west were published on 20 May 2002. A key part of the strategy is to achieve the renaissance of urban areas by encouraging balanced economic growth and regeneration in a sustainable way. The proposed reduction in the annual rate of housing provision, coupled with an increase in the proportion of housing provided on previously used land from 65 per cent. to 70 per cent. are aimed at delivering this, while avoiding the premature release of greenfield land and promoting the use of recycled land, including the redevelopment of existing areas of unfit and unpopular housing; while supporting the Northwest Development Agency's aim of encouraging more employment in the NW region.
The plan monitor, manage approach will enable the annual rates of housing provision to be kept under continuous review, with an expectation that regional planning guidance will be reviewed and rolled forward at least every five years or more frequently if monitoring reveals clear signs of either under or over provision.