Answers to the Written Assembly Questions for answer on 24 February 2010 [R] signifies that the Member has declared an interest. [W] signifies that the question was tabled in Welsh. Contents 2 Questions to the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing 2 Questions to the Minister for Heritage Answers to the Written Assembly Questions for answer on 24 February 2010 To ask the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing Mick Bates (Montgomeryshire): Will the Minister give an update on the designation of Marine Conservation Zones in Wales. (WAQ55679) Answer issued on 25 February 2010 ‘The Marine Conservation Zone Project Wales’ has been established by the Welsh Assembly Government for the purpose of recommending for designation, by the end of 2012, a number of marine conservation zones in Welsh waters. The approach to identifying and designating these sites was set out in the Welsh Assembly Government’s draft strategy for marine protected areas ‘Protecting Welsh Seas’ which was issued for consultation last September. The project is in its preparatory phase which includes developing site selection criteria and methodology in readiness for sharing with key stakeholders. Mike German (South Wales East): What progress has been made in assessing the application for the former Park St School, Abergavenny in the bidding round for the Community Asset Transfer Fund. (WAQ55681) Transferred for answer by the Minister for Social Justice and Local Government Answer issued on 24 February The Minister for Social Justice and Local Government (Carl Sargeant): The BIG Lottery Fund administers the Community Asset Transfer Programme on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government. I can confirm that an expression of interest (EOI) was made to the BIG Lottery Fund on 4 November 2009 for the Abergavenny Community Centre Ltd to transform the former Park Street Infants School into a community centre. Mike German (South Wales East): With reference to the Community Asset Transfer Fund, will the Minister indicate whether projects that have to pay a purchase price for the asset will be viewed as favourably as those where acquisition costs are minimal. (WAQ55682) Transferred for answer by the Minister for Social Justice and Local Government Answer issued on 24 February Carl Sargeant: The BIG Lottery Fund administers the Community Asset Transfer programme on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government. Whilst proposals will be considered for the transfer of assets at full market value, this programme seeks to encourage transfers at lower rates. Therefore, projects must try to incorporate transfers at nil cost, or significantly below the market value. For leasehold transfer, consideration should be given to establishing peppercorn rent arrangements. However, this is only one factor in a wider assessment that will look at a number of criteria, for example community need, economic viability, and long term sustainability. To ask the Minister for Heritage Sandy Mewies (Delyn): Will the Minister make a statement on how many applications to Cadw for grant aid from Flintshire have been (a) received, (b) agreed, and (c) turned down; giving the reasoning behind these decisions. (WAQ55680) Answer issued on 24 February 2010 2 Answers to the Written Assembly Questions for answer on 24 February 2010 I attach details of grant applications to Cadw for historic buildings and monuments in Flintshire over the past five years. Historic building grants are given to owners of buildings judged by an expert advisory panel to be architecturally or historically outstanding or for works which improve the appearance of a conservation area. In addition, Cadw has given grants of £80,000 over the past four years towards the Holywell Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) scheme and has offered grant of £60,000 over a three year period towards the forthcoming THI scheme at Flint. My officials in Cadw would welcome more applications from owners in Flintshire and, as indicated in my Historic Environment Strategic Statement, we are reviewing our grants programme to ensure grant is directed to the structures of greatest need. Grant applications to Cadw - Flintshire * Building not judged to be outstanding or significantly enhancing a conservation area 2009 Building Successful / amount of Unsuccessful / reason grant Ysgubor Degwm, Llanasa * Pen-y-Cloddiau Camp, Ysceifiog £3,738 Pen-y-Cloddiau Camp, Ysceifiog £590 Pen-y-Cloddiau Camp, Ysceifiog £2,250 2008 Building Successful / amount of Unsuccessful / reason grant The Record Office, The Old Rectory, £42,500 Hawarden Christ Church, Pontblyddyn * Holy Trinity Church, Greenfield, Holywell * St Ethelwold’s Church, East Shotton * St Mary the Virgin, Mold Church in Wales churches grants scheme oversubscribed Caergwrle Packhorse Bridge, Caergwrle £43,966 Pen-y-Cloddiau Camp, Ysceifiog £758 Wat’s Dyke, Penyffordd £818 2007 Building Successful / amount of Unsuccessful / reason grant Huntsman Inn, Holywell * Nannerch Hall, Nannerch * 2006 3 Answers to the Written Assembly Questions for answer on 24 February 2010 Building Successful / amount of Unsuccessful / reason grant Plymouth House, Northop Grant offered in principle, subject to a suitable scheme of works to be agreed with Cadw. Applicant subsequently withdrew application Barn adjacent to Golden Grove, Llanasa £23,265 The Tower, Mold £6,600 Dry Stone Wall at Mold Golf Club, * Gwernaffield St James Church, Holywell £3,614 St David’s RC Church, Pantasaph £60,000 St Deiniol’s Library, Hawarden £92,000 Bethesda Presbyterian Chapel, Mold £8,306 2005 Building Successful / amount of Unsuccessful / reason grant Victoria Hotel, Mold * Wern Mill, Mold * The Barn, Coed Rodyn Applicant withdrew application due to lack Farm, Mold of match funding St Mary’s Church, £10,000 Ysceifiog Church of the Holy Spirit, £30,000 Ewloe Cock and Hen Cottage, Works which were the subject of the grant Hawarden application had already been undertaken so Cadw could not progress the application Bethesda Presbyterian £4,000 Chapel, Mold Caergwrle Castle, £2,200 Caergwrle 4.