§ Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what information he has collated on the average(a) market value based on right to buy sales, (b) adjusted vacant possession values and (c) value for stock transfer purposes of council houses in Walsall (i) under direct council management and (ii) managed by a tenant management organisation. [41750]
§ Ms KeebleWalsall metropolitan borough council has provided the Department with an average market value based on right to buy sales of £35,100 for both the council houses in Walsall under direct council management and those managed by a tenant management organisation. Walsall is not required to submit information on adjusted vacant possession values of their stock. The valuations for housing transfer purposes have yet to be agreed.
§ Mr. WigginTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what powers the Government have to compel councils to build houses under the unitary development plan. [43508]
§ Ms Keeble[holding answer 15 March 2002]: The Government have no powers in relation to unitary development plans to compel councils to build houses. However, unitary development plans are expected to provide sufficient housing land to meet the housing requirements of the whole community. Priority should be given to re-using urban brownfield sites in preference to greenfield land.
The Secretary of State can direct changes to unitary development plans which conflict with national and regional housing policies without good local justification. He can also call in planning applications where the provision of housing is at issue.