§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he is considering for the construction of a new headquarters building at Woolwich arsenal; and what effect such a scheme would have on the availability of surplus land at Woolwich arsenal.
§ Mr. WigginPlanning is currently in hand for a new headquarters building at Woolwich arsenal west for the recently amalgamated quality assurance directorate (ordnance), to replace existing accommodation that is416W dispersed in several older buildings throughout the site. The exact location within the Woolwich arsenal west site has yet to be decided but one option that is being examined would involve the use of the site adjacent to Beresford Square, which has been in disposal for some years and would incorporate one or more of the historic buildings located there. If this option is chosen, we would hope to be in a position to release for disposal an alternative package of land at the eastern side of Woolwich arsenal west. We shall be discussing the possible use of the site adjacent to Beresford Square with the local authority in the new year.
In the meantime negotiations for the sale of 2.5 acres of the site to the GLC for road improvements, which will be unaffected by the possible MOD requirement, are continuing.