RK/SJA/C/Porton

21 March 2006

Yvette Cooper MP
Minister of State
Office of Deputy Prime Minister
26 Whitehall
London
SW1A 2WH

Dear Minister

Development of Crown Land

For some time there has been discussion of proposals to bring to an end the “18/84 procedure” for the development of Crown land by Government departments.

Please can you let me know the current position? It is rumoured that you are about to make a statement to say that this immunity will be removed from 1st April 2006. Is that the case?

My enquiry relates to the development of Crown land at Dstl Porton Down near Salisbury by the Ministry of Defence. The Planning Authority is Salisbury District Council with whom there have always been very good relations when it comes to military planning matters. However, the scale of the proposed development which involves relocation of a very large number of staff from Farnborough to Porton Down, has substantial implications for the infrastructure and services provided by Wiltshire County Council and Salisbury District Council. Parish Councils, too, are concerned about the scale of the development.

In fact, the Northern Area Planning Committee of Salisbury District Council has instructed the Chief Executive of the Council to write to the Secretary of State for Defence asking him to withdraw his notice under the 18/84 procedure until the Government has clarified the position regarding the abolition of that process.

I would be most grateful for your advice.

Yours sincerely.