§ Mr. HayesTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether the Government estimates that there is sufficient urban capacity in the London part alone of the Thames Gateway Development area to accommodate up to 120,000 new homes. [166288]
§ Phil HopeThe Government announced in July 2003 its commitment to support development of at least 120,000 new homes in Thames Gateway overall, by 2016. This assumed development of at least 60,000 within the London part of the Gateway by 2016. It did not preclude further growth, and since then work by the370W Greater London authority (GLA) suggests that there could be substantially more capacity in the London gateway over the longer term.
§ Mr. HayesTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what percentage of the 120,000 new homes envisaged for Thames Gateway development the Government foresees will be built on previously developed land. [166289]
§ Phil HopeThe presence of a substantial reservoir of previously developed land is one of the key features of the Thames gateway. It is estimated to contain some 2 per cent. of the land area of the south-east but over 17 per cent. of its currently available supply of previously developed land. In the period 1997–2000 an estimated 80 per cent. of new dwellings in the gateway were built on previously developed land, which is above the national target of 60 per cent. and the gateway strategy aims to at least maintain this trend. Detailed allocation of land for new development will be undertaken through the statutory plan-making process by local planning authorities.