§ Mrs. ShephardTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on(a) the ownership,(b) management and (c) future use of the site and buildings at the former RAF Watton. [19001]
§ Mr. SpellarThe MOD owns the freehold interest in the site of the former RAF Watton, Norfolk. The former airfield is under the management of the Army and used as an Army Training Area; the two areas for disposal namely, the former Technical and Border Radar Sites, are in the stewardship of the Defence Estate Organisation.
The two sites in disposal have been offered for sale on the open market through local marketing agents. An agreed Planning Brief provides for residential use on the Border Radar Site and part residential use on the technical site. Unfortunately these proposed uses cannot be confirmed until the outcome of the Public Planning Inquiry into the Breckland District Local Plan is known sometime in mid-1998.