HC Deb 17 September 2004 vol 424 cc1817-9W
Mr. Rosindell

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) how much has been given in grants to redevelop town centres in the last 12 months; [189227]

(2) if he will make a statement on funding for regeneration of town centres. [189235]

Keith Hill

This Government are fully committed to ensuring the regeneration of our town and city centres. It is a vital element in meeting a wide range of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's objectives, including the development of sustainable communities.

There are no statistics held centrally as to how much has been given in grants to redevelop town centres. This could be provided only at disproportionate cost. While it is not clear as to the exact proportion that is spent on town centres specifically, in the current financial year (2004–05) nearly £3.27 billion of Government funding has been allocated to regeneration programmes of all kinds. This is due to increase to £3.55 billion in 2005–06.

Funding for town and city centre regeneration can be secured from a wide range of different sources, and is being carried out through partnership working across central and local government, regeneration agencies and local stakeholders. The nature of local economic growth and the development of town and city centres requires local authorities to determine local policies which meet the specific needs of their area. To do so they need to develop their own strategies and prioritise resources, which will vary in each case.

Funding for the regeneration of town and city centres can be secured from sources including the Single Regeneration Budget, European Regional Development Fund and European Social Fund, the lottery, New Deal for Communities, Regional Development Agencies, English Partnerships, Urban Regeneration Companies, local government, Business Improvement Districts, section 106 agreements, and private sector funding.

Mr. Rosindell

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on future plans for the regeneration of(a) the London borough of Havering and (b) Romford town centre. [189228]

Phil Hope

Government plans for Havering include an investment of £6 million to improve the public transport interchange at Rainham station through the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Thames Gateway Programme. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is also supporting the opening up of Rainham Marshes, providing £2 million to enable the public to have improved access to Vic Marshes.

Future plans include proposals for Havering Riverside, which is identified as a major location for growth in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's "Creating Sustainable Communities" (published July 2003) and is an Opportunity Area in the London Plan. The regeneration strategy will be taken forward by the Mayor, the London Borough of Havering and the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation through the East London sub-regional development framework.

The London Plan sets the framework for the scale of growth of Romford within London and the east London sub-region. The Mayor of London's sub regional development framework, currently in preparation, will also address the issue of regeneration in Romford. However, the main vehicle for bringing forward detailed proposals is the review of the Unitary Development Plan.

Mr. Rosindell

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the implications for revitalising town and city centres of the Government's plans to build more new and affordable homes. [189229]

Keith Hill

No specific assessment has been made of the implications for revitalising town and city centres of the Government's plans to build more new and affordable homes.

However, there is considerable evidence of urban renaissance in towns and cities across the country, and much of this recent investment has included residential development.

Major mixed use developments like the new Bull Ring in Birmingham, and investment in new or improved civic squares, high quality architecture like the Lowry Centre in Salford, the Urbis Building in Manchester, the Winter Gardens in Sheffield and the Newcastle-Gateshead Millennium Bridge, have played a key role in encouraging population growth in town and city centres.

For example, Manchester's city centre population rose from under 1,000 in 1991 to over 15,000 today. Liverpool's has increased from 2,300 to more than 9,000 over the same period. Birmingham, Leeds and Bristol have experienced similar growth.

In short, revitalising town and city centres is a vital element in delivering the government's housing plans.

Mr. Rosindell

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the impact of the Government's Sustainable Communities Plan on town centres which are not included in the Plan, with particular reference to Romford. [189231]

Phil Hope

"Sustainable Communities: building for the future" is a policy document, which identifies growth areas, including Thames Gateway, but also refers to growth across London. Proposals in "Sustainable Communities" have to be tested through the normal regional and local plan making process, and any specific proposals for development would be the subject of planning applications. The impact of the proposals, including any impact on nearby town centres, would be considered through these processes.

Mr. Rosindell

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on regeneration of town centres in London. [189232]

Keith Hill

Government policy, set out in Planning Policy Guidance Note 6 (Town centres and Retail Development) seeks to encourage regeneration of town centres.

Within London, policy on the regeneration of town centres is principally a matter for the Mayor of London and the London boroughs. The London Plan sets out the general policy of promoting the strategic importance of London's town centres in accommodating economic growth, meeting the needs of Londoners and improving the sustainability of London's development. It also seeks to ensure that there is a robust strategy for each town centre taking account of the relationship with nearby centres. The local development frameworks to be prepared by the London boroughs will ensure that there is full community involvement in the development of regeneration proposals and are intended to promote a positive approach to managing development.