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Mobile Phone Masts
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received calling for change in planning regulations that govern the erection of mobile phone masts. [125877]
Ms Beverley Hughes: In the past year, we have received around 175 letters calling for changes in planning regulations that govern the erection of mobile phone masts.
In addition, the report of the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones, published on 11 May, recommended that for all base stations, permitted development rights for their erection should be revoked and that the siting of all new base stations should be subject to the normal planning process.
In its response to the report, issued on the same day and placed in the Libraries of both Houses, the Government said that they were minded to introduce a requirement for an application for full planning permission for all new telecommunications masts, but would need to consult widely before doing so, including on the principle and precise scope of any new arrangements.
Road Maintenance
Mr. McLoughlin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of transport spending was on national road maintenance and highways maintenance in England in each of the last five years. [125811]
Mr. Hill [holding answer 12 June 2000]: The percentage of transport spending in England on national road maintenance and local road maintenance for the five years up to 1998-99 is given in the tale. Figures for 1999-2000 are not yet available.
| National road maintenance | Local road maintenance | |
|---|---|---|
| 1994-95(3) | 8.3 | 20.4 |
| 1995-96(3) | 6.5 | 21.1 |
| 1996-97(3) | 6.7 | 23.3 |
| 1997-98(3) | 7.6 | 24.4 |
| 1998-99(3) | 9.3 | 27.9 |
(3) Outturn
Road Deaths
Mr. McLoughlin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment his Department has made of the correlation between (a) speed, (b) alcohol consumption and (c) road conditions, and road deaths. [125812]
Mr. Hill [holding answer 13 June 2000]: The Department estimate that excess or inappropriate speed is a contributory factor in one in three road deaths.
15 Jun 2000 : Column: 679W
In 1998 one in seven fatalities occurred in an accident in which at least one driver or rider was over the blood alcohol limit.
A study in 1978-81 estimated that road conditions contributed to one in 17 of all accidents. No separate figure is available for deaths.
The Department will shortly begin a sample on the spot accident investigation which will provide further information on contributory factors. Some information will also emerge from a pilot scheme to collect information from police accident records.
Playing Fields
Mr. Chidgey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to issue a new Planning Policy Guidance notice concerning playing fields. [125926]
Ms Beverley Hughes: I hope to publish a draft revision of Planning Policy Guidance note 17 (PPG17) on sport and recreation for consultation shortly. This will update the existing guidance on playing fields.
Mr. Chidgey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the total number of valid applications he has received for the sale of playing fields in each month since October 1998. [125927]
Ms Beverley Hughes: The Secretary of State's consent to the disposal of land by local authorities under their general powers is required only where they wish to do so at less than the best reasonably obtainable consideration, which is normally open market value. Six applications for consent for the sale of playing fields have been received since October 1998.
Home Ownership Schemes
Mr. Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many interest-free equity loans have been granted to date under the Homebuy Scheme to residents in (a) Christchurch, (b) East Dorset, (c) Bournemouth, (d) Poole and (e) the New Forest since the inception of the scheme; [125970]
- (2) how many households have been housed in England in each of the last five years under the Do-It-Yourself-Shared-Ownership Scheme; [125972]
(3) how many interest-free equity loans have been granted to date under the Homebuy Scheme in England; and how many he expects to be granted in 2000-01; [125971]
(4) how many residents in (a) Christchurch, (b) East Dorset, (c) Bournemouth, (d) Poole and (e) the New Forest have purchased homes under the Do-It-Yourself-Shared-Ownership Scheme in each of the last five years. [125973]
Mr. Mullin: The Homebuy scheme started in April 1999. Homebuy replaced the Do-It-Yourself-Shared-Ownership (DIYSO) scheme following the rationalisation of the low cost home ownership programme offered by registered social landlords and funded by the Housing Corporation.
15 Jun 2000 : Column: 680W
However, local authorities continue to have the option to fund DIYSO until March 2001 when the position will be reviewed.
The total number of Homebuy loans granted in England to the end of May 2000 is 1,083. 1,334 such loans are planned for the year 2000-01. The table shows the number of Homebuy loans granted to residents in the local authority areas named.
| Local authority | 1999-2000 | 2000-01(4) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Forest | 8 | 1 | 9 |
| Bournemouth | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| Christchurch | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Poole | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| East Dorset | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Total | 24 | 2 | 26 |
(4) 1 April to 31 May 2000
The total number of households housed in England in each of the last five years under the Do-It-Yourself-Shared-Ownership (DIYSO) Scheme is as follows:
| 1995-96 | 1996-97 | 1997-98 | 1998-99 | 1999-2000 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local authority funded | 312 | 230 | 252 | 192 | 226 | 1,212 |
| Housing Corporation funded | 4,588 | 2,435 | 1,986 | 1,472 | 191 | 10,672 |
| Grand total | 4,900 | 2,665 | 2,238 | 1,664 | 417 | 11,884 |
The following table shows the number of residents who have purchased homes under the DIYSO scheme in each of the last five years in the local authority areas shown.
| Local authority | 1995-96 | 1996-97 | 1997-98 | 1998-99 | 1999-2000 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Forest | 32 | 29 | 17 | 23 | 18 | 119 |
| Bournemouth | 19 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 0 | 47 |
| Christchurch | 13 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 27 |
| Poole | 13 | 16 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 46 |
| East Dorset | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 25 |
| Total | 84 | 70 | 42 | 50 | 18 | 264 |
Byker Heat Station
Mr. Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 6 June 2000, Official Report, columns 195-96W, if (a) the Model allotments, (b) Moorside allotment and (c) Nun's Moor allotment have been subjected to unauthorised excavation for bottles and metal material since toxic ash from Byker Heat Station was deposited. [126007]
15 Jun 2000 : Column: 681W
Mr. Meacher: Newcastle city council advise that they are not aware of any unauthorised excavations at the Model allotments or Moorside allotments. Nun's Moor allotment has experienced some small-scale unauthorised excavations, however these were not in the area of the ash paths.
The Fenham Allotments, as opposed to the Fenham Model allotments, have experienced severe damage from unauthorised excavations for bottles. This site, however, has not received ash from the Byker Heat Station.
Mr. Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 6 June 2000, Official Report, columns 195-96W, what prima facie failures of statutory duty of care under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 have occurred in the distribution of toxic ash from the Byker Heat Station to bridleways and allotments. [126008]
Mr. Meacher: The Environment Agency investigation, referred to by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in his answer of 6 June 2000, Official Report, columns 197-98W, into the deposit of ash at allotments and other sites in the Newcastle area, is continuing.
The Agency investigation will establish whether the waste management controls under Part II of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 have been contravened, including any breaches of the statutory duty of care imposed under section 34 of the 1990 Act. If there is evidence of contravention, action will be taken in accordance with the Agency's published Enforcement policy.
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