PUBLIC BODIES SELLING LAND FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Early day motion 594, tabled 28 January 2003 by Martin Linton (Labour). Signed by 71 members.

That this House is aware of the obstacles in the way of building affordable housing of all types and tenures on land in areas of high land values; notes that in these areas the land purchase costs commonly amount to more than half the development costs; welcomes the consultation on a proposal to allow public bodies such as planning, police and fire authorities and national parks to dispose of redundant land at below market price so long as the arrangement contributes to economic, social or environmental well being; believes that these proposals could assist housing associations to acquire sites for development of affordable or key worker housing; further notes that the Government's regeneration agency English Partnerships manages a national portfolio of strategic brownfield sites; and believes that for better co-ordination of land assembly for the provision of affordable and key worker homes, English Partnerships should have first refusal on all disposals of public land.

Signatures by party: Labour 54, Liberal Democrat 12, Labour/Co-operative 5.