HC Deb 01 May 1951 vol 487 cc979-80
8. Mr. Vane

asked the Secretary of State for War why it was necessary to site the married quarters now being built at Streatlam Camp in the manner of ribbon development along the Barnard Castle-Staindrop road and to set them at such unusual angles from the line of the road; and whether the planning authority was given the opportunity of commenting on the layout.

Mr. M. Stewart

Access to these eight pairs of quarters is from within the married quarters estate and not from the main road and the quarters will eventually be screened from the main road by trees. The siting is not, therefore ribbon development. The quarters have been arranged to conform to the natural contours of the ground. The layout was agreed by the local authority.

Mr. Vane

Will the Minister bear in mind that this was one of the very beautiful corners in the constituency of the Minister of Local Government and Planning? Will he try to ensure that when additions are made to this camp, which was originally built under the stress of war conditions, the architecture and the layout will be a credit to the War Office? These married quarters, in spite of the excuses put forward by the hon. Gentleman, certainly are not.

Mr. Stewart

I cannot agree with the hon. Gentleman that when this work is complete, the natural beauty of the district will be in any way spoiled. My view appears to be also the view of the local authority.

Colonel Gomme-Duncan

Are we to take it that any form of ribbon development, provided it has trees planted in front of it, ceases to be ribbon development?

Mr. Stewart

No. The hon. and gallant Gentleman did not understand what I was saying. It is not only because of the trees, but because it is part of a whole estate of married quarters.