CONVERSION OF FORMER MILLS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING

That this House notes that potential floor space for 25,000 new homes has been identified by Historic England in former mills and factories in Lancashire and Greater Manchester alone; regrets the news that 45 per cent of Greater Manchester's former mills have been demolished since the 1980s; welcomes the YouGov poll that shows that 85 per cent of adults do not want to see these industrial buildings demolished; expresses concern that these historic and cultural landmarks could be lost forever to newer buildings; recognises the current crisis in housing and chronic shortage of affordable homes; and urges the Government to provide investment to enable these buildings to be converted into affordable housing offices and public amenities.