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Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Answer

Martin Linton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the use of (a) vacant land and (b) unused buildings within council house estates in (i) Wandsworth and (ii) London by local planning authorities; and what further action he plans to encourage local authorities in London to develop a strategy for creating mixed communities using their planning powers. [76231] Mr. Tony McNulty: My right hon. Friend, the Deputy Prime Minister has made no specific assessment of the use of vacant land and unused buildings by local planning authorities within council house estates in Wandsworth or London. However, a national survey of brownfield land published in September 2002 showed that in 2001 some 4590 hectares of brownfield land were available for development in London. Planning Policy Guidance note 3 (Housing) states that all Local Planning Authorities should undertake urban housing capacity studies, coordinated by the Regional Planning Body. The studies should provide information about vacant land and properties in each authority's area. Detailed good practice guidance on capacity studies is provided in the PPG3 companion guide ``Tapping the Potential''. The last capacity assessment for all the Boroughs in London was supervised by the London Planning Advisory Committee and published by the GLA in September 2000. PPG3 also requires authorities to promote mixed and balanced communities both through their plans and in deciding individual planning applications. This includes securing an appropriate mix of dwelling size, type, and affordability.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

76231; 391 c391W;391 c388-9W

Session

2001-02

Subjects

Council housing Brownfield sites Housing Greater London Empty property Land use Housing estates Planning authorities Planning Property development Wandsworth

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk