HL Deb 14 March 2005 vol 670 c106WA
Lord Dubs

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the reason for the delay in transferring land for the development of the group housing scheme for travellers at Monagh Road, Belfast. [HL1632]

Baroness Amos

The Department of Education is currently working with the architect appointed by the trustees of St Gerard's education resource centre to resolve the ongoing problems of access to the proposed sites for St Gerard's education resource centre and North and West Housing Ltd. The proposals are currently with the planning service and it is expected that a response will be received shortly confirming whether or not the plans put forward by the school's architect are acceptable. Subject to the planning approval being received, the Department of Education can then approve the sale of the land to North and West Housing Ltd.

The North and West Housing Ltd also wishes to acquire a separate small piece of land from the Department for Regional Development's roads service for access purposes. The sale was agreed in November 2003 subject to the sale of the St Gerard's education resource centre land to the North and West Housing Ltd.