Written question asked by Baroness King of Bow (Labour) on Friday, 15 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 20 October 2004. It was answered by Keith Hill (Labour) on Wednesday, 20 October 2004 on behalf of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Question: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will make a statement on the work of the Housing Above Shops Task Force.

Answer: Ms Oona King: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the work of the Housing Above Shops Task Force. [192772] Keith Hill: The Housing Above Shops Task Force was established by the British Property Federation and Living Over The Shop Project at the instigation of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in December 2002. The Task Force was asked to advise on measures to overcome perceived barriers preventing more unoccupied space above retail premises from being converted for housing use. The report of the Task Force highlighted a number of barriers and made a number of recommendations to overcome them, including the provision of a new advisory and scheme assembly service. The recommendation is being taken forward in a feasibility study being undertaken by the Housing Partnership, which is due to report its findings in the near future. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is, in addition, funding the activities of the Living Over The Shop Project on an interim basis pending the outcome of the feasibility study.

Secondary information