§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much money his Department has allocated in this financial year to provide advice to local communities on planning matters; to which organisations such money has been paid; and how much has been paid to each. [178231]
§ Keith HillThe Government are providing £3.8 million for Planning Aid in England over a three year period up to 2005–06. The funding will allow Planning Aid to enhance its service, become more proactive and develop a greater role in targeting communities which traditionally do not get involved in the planning system. The funding allocation in this financial year is expected to be £1.454 million.
Through the Special Grants Programme (SPG) in 2004–05, £40,050 is being provided to the Royal Town Planning Institute to aid the development of mainstream practice in which planners will work with communities to deliver sustainable communities. £58,000 is being provided to the Town and Country Planning Association to improve the science and art of town and country planning—one of the aims of the project is power for people to influence decisions that 742W affect them. £31,550 is being provided to Panning Aid for London, to establish greater cohesion between different racial groups in the community and increase the ability of disempowered groups to encourage successful housing schemes. To date on these three projects, £7,894 has been paid to Planning Aid for London.