Harlow MP Robert Halfon asks question on derelict land
News / Thu 3rd Mar 2022 at 06:14pm
HARLOW MP Robert Halfon rose on the floor of the House of Commons to ask a question about derelict land.
Mr Halfon said:
“To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what support his Department provides to local authorities to help regenerate derelict land?”
Minister of State for Housing, Stuart Andrew responded:
“At Spending Review 2021, the Government announced £1.5 billion to regenerate underused land and deliver transport links and community facilities. This funding will help to unlock sites across the country that the private sector alone will not deliver, alongside a further £300 million locally led grant funding that will be distributed to Mayoral Combined Authorities and local authorities to help unlock smaller brownfield sites
“These announcements build on our existing, extensive support for growth and regeneration, including the £4.8 billion Levelling Up Fund that has funded town and city centre regeneration schemes in places across the UK. Future rounds of the Levelling Up Fund and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund will build on this investment and the billions of pounds of investment made through the Towns Fund, Future High Streets Fund, Getting Building Fund and Brownfield Housing Fund”.
Clare Harrison McCartney
2022-03-03 20:29:44
Does the honourable gentleman mean the derelict land which once stood the iconic building and music venue - the square ? If so, rebuilding the square on that derelict land would definitely be levelling up, since it ripped the heart out of our community and we need it putting back.
H
2022-03-03 20:58:22
Well said Clare! 👏
peter dewey
2022-03-03 22:40:42
i agree too. The Square could still be going now.It should not be allowed by law until fix dates in place to redevelop. Where left derelict for say 6 months fine them.The longer it goes on the more they should be fined. The money could be used to fill in potholes! What about derelict land near the Library and old Lister House sites? It doesnt matter as there is plenty of Green Belt Land to finish off Silly ideas really as too many rich business people would lose out!
Lewis Brand
2022-03-04 06:38:38
Well said Claire, instead of wasting money on the Eastern Crossing that does not benefit Harlow People, we should be looking at rebuilding the Square, and regenerate the Town Centre, that’s what I would class as “levelling up”. There’s no night life in Harlow anymore. In regards to music venue, there is the Phoenix Live in the Harvey Centre, but like Claire said, the Square was the heart of the community, and the Residents of Harlow want it back.
novoman
2022-03-04 09:08:33
For "unlocking" read "building polluting roads, that increases congestion, encourages more traffic destroying habitats " whilst ignoring totally greener options just like the Eastern Crossing will destroy the Stort River Valley.
NickL
2022-03-04 09:28:31
Would this include places like the old Odeon building in the Town Centre? It is about time something was done with this.
Lizzie
2022-03-04 10:00:48
In reply to NickL the Odeon is not council, it is privately owned by someone who will not sell that's why the council are building around it as they have no choice, it's not in their control.
Michael Hatton
2022-03-04 11:39:01
Sir - I do believe that the compulsory purchase factor is still available.
SIIMON
2022-03-04 18:20:18
Too many houses all at once without prioer thought on impact. Not enough infrastructure, road or exapnsion. We could probably absorb Its but to park outside your house or get about in Harlow at certain times. Not against new homes but wasnt thought through (planners didnt live here). Still love Harlow.
peter henegan
2022-03-04 18:33:03
When was the YMCA knocked down-10/15 years ago? Why has nothing been done about using the site. Robert Halfon has been our MP for much of that time. Harlow Council was labour for a similar period, both have failed us. I guess now that until the "new " Harlow hospital location site is resolved nothing can be done.
Bob
2022-03-05 10:48:01
Further waste land at Staple Tye, the old site of Lister House medical centre is the centre of contraversy because this Council has wasted £700000 on consultations. What are the mindset of these councillors. They allow these sites to lay derelict for years when social homes should be the priority. If it's the developers who are holding things up because of profiteering then laws should be changed to allow councils to compulsory purchase. This town should not be held to ransom.
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