To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effect of his announcement of a new target for housebuilding on recycled land on proposals for a new town in Wychavon; and if he will make a statement. [31513]

The creation of a new settlement to meet housing demand is only one of a number of options which will be considered by the new Worcestershire County Council in producing the structure plan for the county covering the period 1996–2011. The options will no doubt be considered by the county council in the light of the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State in the House on 23 February 1998, Official Report, columns 21–25.