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Graveyards
Mr. Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will review the planning regulations relating to the sale of graveyards; and if he will make a statement. [88450]
Mr. Raynsford:
There are no planning provisions which apply specifically to a proposed disposal of a graveyard, although a local authority may need a disposal consent in certain circumstances, for example to dispose of the land for less than the best consideration that can reasonably be obtained. A disused burial ground, which is no longer used for human interment, falls within the definition of open space for the purposes of local government and town and country planning powers. A local authority proposing to sell or otherwise dispose of or appropriate open space land must advertise the proposal and consider any objections. The disturbance of
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buried human remains normally requires a licence from the Home Office or, in relation to consecrated ground, a Faculty from the Bishop. Planning permission would normally be required for the carrying out of any development of land. We have no plans to review the present planning controls relating to the sale of graveyards.
Mr. Sheerman:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the construction work on Westminster tube station will be completed. [88444]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
London Underground expect to complete the construction work on Westminster tube station in late autumn this year.
Dr. Tony Wright:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list in respect of those properties which have been acquired in the past by his Department in relation to the Birmingham Northern Relief Road (a) those which he intends to dispose of because he no longer needs them in relation to the road and (b) the acquisition price of each such property and the price at which each such property has been placed on the market; [89119]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to reply to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Dr. Tony Wright, dated 30 June 1999:
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Mr. Burgon:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress he has made in developing a waste strategy for England and Wales. [89296]
Mr. Meacher:
Consultation responses to "Less Waste: More Value" last year were overwhelmingly supportive of the vision set out in that document which we have now developed into a blueprint for a more sustainable, integrated waste management system for England and Wales.
This blueprint is described in "A Way with Waste: A Draft Waste Strategy for England and Wales" which is published today for further public consultation. "A Way with Waste" makes clear that a step change is needed in the way we think about and manage our waste which applies equally to municipal and industrial waste. We need substantial increases to both recycling and energy recovery if we are to meet the challenges of sustainable development and of the European Directive on the landfilling of waste's stringent targets for diverting waste from landfill.
We have therefore set two goals by 2010 of recovering 45 per cent. of municipal waste (by recycling, composting and incineration with energy or heat recovery) and of recycling or composting 30 per cent. of household waste. To do this we must meet, as soon as possible, the existing targets of 40 per cent. recovery and 25 per cent. recycling or composting. We aim to do this by 2005. Beyond 2010 we must do more. By 2015 we expect to recover value from two thirds of household waste, half of this by recycling or composting.
We need to develop stronger markets for recyclate. The Government set up a Market Development Group to look at this and its report and recommendations are published for comment today alongside the draft strategy. Some of its recommendations are for Government and we will be addressing them with vigour, seeking further views as necessary. Some are for other bodies whom the Government calls on to address these proposals with same degree of energy.
It will of course be for the National Assembly for Wales to decide how to take forward this draft strategy, and the responses to the consultation on it, to produce a final strategy for Wales.
Ms Shipley:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if there will be specific mechanisms proposed in the Urban White Paper to encourage the planting of trees in urban areas. [88807]
Mr. Meale:
The Urban White Paper will look at ways of improving the quality of life for people in our towns and cities. Urban greening, including the contribution of trees, will be an important part of this.
The Government already acknowledge the important role of trees in urban regeneration by sponsoring a range of programmes which involve tree planting as part of a wider strategy to improve the urban environment. These include the Community Forest programme, the National Forest and others under the Single Regeneration Budget.
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We also support the work of the National Urban Forestry Unit. They have shown that, by using simple, low-cost techniques urban forestry can help to improve the environment in a practical way and make trees a more significant feature of the urban landscape.
Mrs. Anne Campbell:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment his Department makes of previous spending patterns by individual local authorities in its calculations of total standard spending for that authority. [89023]
Mr. Meale:
The formula for Standard Spending Assessments is built up from formulae relating to blocks of services. Those formulae are, in many cases, based on statistical analysis of the variations between authorities in spending on those services.
Dr. Cable:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 22 June 1999, Official Report, column 334, on oil and fat waste, what factors underlay his decision not to commission research. [89007]
Mr. Meale:
There are statutory provisions to ensure that sewerage undertakers can monitor, control, restrict and deal with discharges into public sewers. The Department is not aware of any significant problems associated with these problems.
Mr. Nigel Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the cost of allowing mandatory rate relief to voluntary sports clubs. [88579]
Mr. Meale:
The Central Council of Physical Recreation estimate that there are 150,000 voluntary sports clubs affiliated to the national governing bodies of sport in the United Kingdom. However, we do not hold centrally information on the number of clubs subject to non-domestic rates, their rateable values or their rates bills reflecting discretionary rate relief awarded by local authorities. Therefore, we cannot make a reasonable estimate of the cost of allowing mandatory rate relief to voluntary sports clubs.
(2) if he will list in respect of those properties which have been acquired in the past by his Department in relation to the Birmingham Northern Relief Road (a) those which have been disposed of by him because he considers he no longer needs them in relation to the road and (b) the acquisition price and the money received on disposal in relation to each such property. [89129]
The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Glenda Jackson, has asked me to reply to your recent questions about properties that have been bought and sold in relation to the Birmingham Northern Relief Road (BNRR).
I am afraid I am unable to provide the information in the form that you have requested. To list properties and prices would make public the amounts that private individuals have received or paid. I am sure you agree that such information should remain confidential.
The Agency has purchased 24 properties in connection with the BNRR that have since been sold. The total purchase price was £2.105m and the amount received on disposal of these same properties was £1.741m.
A further 5 properties, purchased at a total cost of £415,250, have been identified as surplus to requirements. Two of these are under offer at a total price of £135,000. The remaining properties have yet to be valued. We expect other properties to be declared surplus as the scheme progresses.
These figures relate to both the former publicly funded road and the privately financed Midland Expressway Ltd scheme. They include discretionary purchases (that is properties seriously affected by but not required for the road) as well as statutory blight purchases.
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