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Affordable Housing
Mr. Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure that affordable housing continues to be available following transfers of council housing stock.[6163]
Mr. Raynsford: Local authority housing will be transferred to registered social landlords only on the basis that it will remain in the social rented sector with affordable rents. Following transfer the Housing Corporation proposes to monitor the rents charged by the new landlord to ensure they remain affordable.
Area Cost Adjustment
Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to set up a commission to review the area cost adjustment; what time scale he proposes; and if he will make a statement. [6154]
Mr. Raynsford: The work of the review of the area cost adjustment during 1996 provided an examination of the issues, though not one which the local authority associations wanted implemented for 1997-98 SSAs. The Department has recently commissioned research to examine some of the concerns of local government about the review's proposals. It will report this month and we shall discuss with local government both the findings and the way forward on the area cost adjustment.
English Partnerships
Mr. Rendel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much grant has been given to English Partnerships in each year since 1993; and if he will make a statement. [5720]
Angela Eagle [holding answer 2 July 1997]: The grant given to English Partnerships in each year since 1993 is as follows:
| Year | Grant-in-aid | Derelict Land Grant(1) |
|---|---|---|
| 1993-94 | 21.728 | Nil |
| 1994-95 | 118.306 | 72.079 |
| 1995-96 | 155.721 | 54.391 |
| 1996-97 | (2)190.965 | 13.002 |
(1) English Partnerships acts as the Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions' agent for making Local Authority Derelict Land Grant payments on projects approved before 1 April 1994. The number of projects remaining to be completed is declining quickly.
(2) Excludes funding for the Greenwich project.
Mobile Homes
Mrs. Ballard:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to amend the Mobile Homes Act 1983 in respect of the entitlement of the owners of the land on which mobile homes are sited to deduct 10 per cent. of the sale price of a home. [6227]
3 Jul 1997 : Column: 243
Mr. Raynsford:
This is one of a number of issues relating to mobile homes which my Department is currently reviewing at the instigation of the all party working group on mobile homes. At this stage, it is too early to say what will be the outcome of that review.
Mr. Burstow:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions by what means a disabled person will be able to challenge an approving body's assessment of a public building designated as providing reasonable access. [5845]
Mr. Raynsford
[holding answer 2 July 1997]: Part M of schedule 1 to the Building Regulations 1991, which is applicable to most new building work other than dwellings, requires that reasonable provision shall be made for access and facilities for disabled people. Building work to which the regulations apply will be subject to building control by either the local authority or an approved inspector. With regard to these approving bodies, the Building Act 1984 provides for action to be taken against an approved inspector who recklessly gives a final certificate. Section 113 of the Act allows proceedings in respect of an offence under the Act to be taken by a party aggrieved. Whilst there is no parallel provision to challenge local authorities within the Building Act, they are subject to action for judicial review.
There is no requirement for public buildings to be assessed by an approving body under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.
Mr. Burstow:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the relationship between Part M of the Building Regulations 1991 and proposals contained in the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. [5846]
Mr. Raynsford
[holding answer 2 July 1997]: Part M of the Building Regulations applies only to the control of new building work. The DDA places duties on employers and service providers to make adjustments to existing premises which are reasonable in all the circumstances of the case. There is no requirement for such adjustments to comply with Part M.
Under the Disability Discrimination (Employment) Regulations 1996 employers cannot be required to alter any physical characteristic which satisfied the requirements of Part M of the Building Regulations at the time building works were carried out, and which continues to meet those requirements. This protects employers against being required to meet differing requirements in respect of the same physical feature under different regulations. Similar protection for service providers will be considered when regulations for implementing that part of the Act are prepared.
Mr. Burstow:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library a copy of the completed study carried out by his Department and the Housebuilders Federation into the costings of extending Part M of the Building Regulations to include new residential dwellings. [5848]
3 Jul 1997 : Column: 244
Mr. Raynsford
[holding answer 2 July 1997]: This study had not yet started. Before deciding whether or not to let this I want to see the results of some work done jointly by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the House Builders Federation. If the study does go ahead, it should provide additional information for the compliance cost assessment which will be prepared to accompany our proposals to amend Part M of the Building Regulations. The finalised compliance cost assessment will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament at the time any amending regulations are laid.
Mr. Ottaway:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to restrict the use of personal watercraft (a) along Britain's beaches and (b) on inland waters. [6321]
Angela Eagle
[holding answer 2 July 1997]: Section 76 of the Public Health Act 1961 provides for local authorities to make byelaws to regulate seaside pleasure boats for the prevention of danger, obstruction or annoyance to persons bathing in the sea or using the seashore. It is likely that personal watercraft can be regulated as pleasure boats under this Act, although a definitive interpretation is a matter for the courts.
My Department is leading an inter-departmental working party which is undertaking a review of byelaw powers for the coast. A discussion document issued in December 1996 identified coastal recreation management as a major issue and the many responses to this document are being analysed. The working party will meet again before the end of the year to consider this analysis and agree an appropriate way forward.
Local authorities, water companies and some navigation authorities have powers to regulate the use of inland waters to ensure their safe use and enjoyment. There are no plans to amend the powers.
Mr. Burstow:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the planning appeal decisions by his Department in the last three years where his inspectors have upheld a planning authority's decision to refuse permission for drive-through, fast food restaurants; and what planning reasons were upheld in each case. [6052]
Mr. Raynsford:
The provision of information on planning appeals is the responsibility of the Planning Inspectorate. I have asked the Inspectorate's Chief Executive, Mr. Chris Shepley, to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from C. J. Shepley to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 3 July 1997:
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Mr. Meacher:
Sulphur hexaflouride, a powerful greenhouse gas, is used as a cushioning agent in some training shoes.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your Question about appeal decisions for drive-through, fast-food restaurants.
I enclose details of 9 planning appeals for such developments which have been dismissed, i.e. the decision of the local authority upheld (except in one case which the local authority failed to determine), since 1 April 1994. I believe this list to be exhaustive but I cannot be certain, especially when such uses may have been combined with others. The details include the issues considered to be relevant to the inspector's decision.
I am arranging for copies of the inspector's decision letters to be sent to you. From these you will be able to see whether the inspector agreed or disagreed with any reasons for refusal by the local authority.
Details Floor space
Case key R3705/A/94/233558
Local authority North Warwickshire
County Warwickshire
Site address Dordon filling station, Watling Street, Dordon, Warwickshire
Description Erection of drive-through fast food facility
Land use 1 S12 hot food; take away food; fish and chip shops Floor space:
Land use 2 --No code recorded-- Floor space:
Land use 3 --No code recorded-- Floor space:
Final decision Dismissed
Decision date 27 May 1994
Decision issue 1 Effect on neighbouring building, surroundings
Decision issue 2 Traffic: highway safety, congestion, access
Details Floor space
Case key U4610/A/95/258157
Local authority Coventry
County West Midlands
Site address 6 Station Avenue, Coventry, West Midlands
Description Change of use from residential to A3 hot food takeaway (Dial-A-Pizza), removal of side garage to create a hardstanding and service driveway, rear single storey extension to create a kitchen
Land use 1 S12 hot food; take away food; fish and chip shops Floor space:
Land use 2 --No code recorded-- Floor space:
Land use 3 --No code recorded-- Floor space:
Final decision Dismissed
Decision date 4 November 1996
Decision issue 1 Noise, disturbance (including vibration)
Decision issue 2 Traffic: highway safety, congestion, access
Details Floor space
Case key F5540/A/93/230413
Local authority Hounslow
County G.L.C.
Site address Hope and Anchor Public House, Twickenham Road, Hounslow L.B.
Description Restaurant with ancillary staff, storage and office accommodation together with drive-through facility and associated car parking. Non-determination
Land use 1 S41 restaurants, canteens, cafes Floor space:
Land use 2 W00 miscellaneous storage etc. development Floor space:
Land use 3 F00 miscellaneous office uses Floor space:
Final decision Dismissed
Decision date 29 April 1994
Decision issue 1 Traffic: highway safety, congestion, access
Details Floor space
Case key U2425/A/94/234244
Local authority Leicester
County Leicestershire
Site address 197-201 Narborough Road, Leicester
Description Redevelopment of former service station to provide freestanding restaurant with drive thru facility and ancillary accommodation. High court challenge
Land use 1 S41 restaurants, canteens, cafes Floor space:
Land use 2 --No code recorded-- Floor space:
Land use 3 --No code recorded-- Floor space:
Final decision Dismissed--High court challenge
Decision date 7 October 1994
Decision issue 1 Effect on neighbouring building, surroundings
Decision issue 2 Dirt, dust, smoke, smell, fumes
Decision issue 3 Noise, disturbance (including vibration)
Decision issue 4 Traffic: highway safety, congestion, access
Decision issue 5 High court determinations
Details Floor space
Case key F2360/A/96/264043
Local authority South Ribble
County Lancashire
Site address Adjacent Tickled Trout Hotel and Mobil petrol station, A59/M6, Preston
Description Erection of restaurant (class A3) with associated drive-thru facility and parking and with ancillary staff, storage and office accommodation
Land use 1 S41 restaurants, canteens, cafes Floor space:
Land use 2 S12 hot food; take away food; fish and chip shops Floor space:
Land use 3 --No code recorded-- Floor space:
Final decision Dismissed
Decision date 5 February 1997
Decision issue 1 Approved green belt--as an issue
Mr. Corbyn:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research his Department has evaluated on the effect on the environment of pressurised gases in training shoes. [6346]
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