Open Spaces and Greenfield Land

Church Commissioners – in the House of Commons at 2:30 pm on 3 February 2003.

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Photo of Simon Hughes Simon Hughes Shadow Spokesperson (Home Affairs) 2:30, 3 February 2003

What is the policy of the Church Commissioners for preserving open spaces and green field land in their ownership.

Photo of Stuart Bell Stuart Bell Second Church Estates Commissioner

The commissioners have in place an environmental policy for their rural estates. Their primary responsibility is towards their beneficiaries, the serving and retired clergy of the Church of England. However, they are careful to balance that against the need for responsibility towards the environment.

Photo of Simon Hughes Simon Hughes Shadow Spokesperson (Home Affairs)

Will the Second Church Estates Commissioner ask his colleagues to pay particular attention to a park just over the water called Archbishops park, which is in the constituency of Kate Hoey? She, I and many other people have a major concern that the Church may be pursuing the wrong course. The Church is the freeholder. Will the hon. Gentleman try to make sure that the Church negotiates that that park can remain a public park for the foreseeable future, and give a lease to the local authority, or to somebody else willing to manage it as it would wish, so that it can be protected, and that there is no risk of it being developed, built on or sold off.

Photo of Stuart Bell Stuart Bell Second Church Estates Commissioner

I am glad to say that I anticipated the hon. Gentleman's question, and I have already made the inquiries that he would wish me to make. Lambeth borough council manages the park, and, having security of tenure under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, can continue to occupy unless the commissioners require it for their own occupation or redevelopment. The commissioners do not have plans to redevelop the park, which is zoned in the unitary plan as an open space, and are therefore seeking to agree a new lease.

Photo of Kate Hoey Kate Hoey Labour, Vauxhall

Further to the inquiries that my hon. Friend has made, although we are grateful for them, it would be helpful if he would return to the issue. The reality is that the Commissioners are not prepared to negotiate the lease for any longer than 15 years. That is hopeless when it comes to bringing in other money from other agencies, which we want to do to enhance and improve that park. We must ask for the situation to be clarified so that, with the Church Commissioners, we can move forward to keep that park in its current use and to improve it for the next 115 years.

Photo of Stuart Bell Stuart Bell Second Church Estates Commissioner

I am happy to say that I also anticipated my hon. Friend's question—[Interruption.] If one asks the question, one gets the answers. Lambeth borough council has sought a term of lease—given the latent value of the site, should it cease to be zoned as an open space—but the commissioners are unable to grant it. However, dialogue between the two parties is ongoing, and I will make sure that the commissioners have heard what my hon. Friend has said.