§ Dr, David Owenasked the Minister of State for Defence what is his policy regarding the siting of helicopter landing areas in highly populated urban centres; and whether his Department is prepared to claim its technical exemption from planning permission, when the location is opposed by the local authority.
§ Mr. BlakerHighly populated urban centres would be used for helicopter landing only in emergency or when operationally essential; in the case of a permanent site, normal planning procedures would be followed.
§ Dr. David Owenasked the Minister of State for Defence whether he has notified Plymouth City Council of an intention to locate a helicopter landing area on the east side of Military Road, Devonport; and what has been the response of the council.
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§ Mr. BlakerThis helicopter landing area has been in use for a number of years. Plymouth City Council was recently consulted on proposals to improve the operational facilities for helicopters engaged on emergency tasks, both Service and civilian, arising principally from accidents and disaster at sea. The council conveyed to the naval authorities certain objections, and these are now being discussed.
§ Dr. David Owenasked the Minister of State for Defence whether he is aware that residential development is planned for the Raglan Barracks site, and what consideration he has given to the environmental effects of a helicopter site nearby.
§ Dame Joan Vickersasked the Minister of State for Defence in view of the fact that his Department has plans to develop the Raglan Barracks site for residential accommodation, what discussions he has had on the environmental effects of the proposed helicopter pad.
§ Mr. BlakerIt is planned to develop the Raglan Barracks site as married quarters for the Royal Navy. The only helicopter pad nearby has been in existence for some years. The environmental effects from helicopter landings, which are relatively infrequent and are mostly in connection with medical emergencies, have been examined and are considered acceptable.
§ Dr. David Owenasked the Minister of State for Defence what is the distance from the St. Joseph's Roman Catholic primary school to the proposed helicopter landing site in Devonport, and what consideration he has given to the effect on the school of the site.
§ Dame Joan Vickersasked the Minister of State for Defence in view of the fact that St. Joseph's Roman Catholic primary school was built at a cost of £70,000 and formally opened on 16th November, whether he will make a statement on his intentions with regard to the placing of a helicopter pad at approximately 40 yards from the school.
§ Mr. BlakerThe school buildings are between 100 and 200 yards from the helicopter landing site, which has been in operation for some years. Any environmental effects from helicopter landings are504W considered acceptable, but the question is now being discussed with the school authority.
§ Dr. David Owenasked the Minister of State for Defence what consideration has been given to alternative helicopter sites in the city of Plymouth, and whether he has given consideration to the use of a site bordering the sea which would cause minimum disturbance to the civilian population, if helicopters were only permitted to approach to land and take off over the sea.
§ Mr. BlakerVarious sites in the city of Plymouth are now used for Ministry of Defence helicopter landings with no apparent evidence of disturbance to the civilian population. The choice of site depends on the purpose of the flight and weather conditions. In view of this, there is no plan to concentrate helicopter landing at a site bordering the sea.
§ Dr. David Owenasked the Minister of State for Defence what is the total acreage of land owned by the Ministry of Defence within the complex comprising the Royal Naval Dockyard and H.M.S. "Drake"; what helicopter landing site facilities already exist within this area or could be provided; and why it is considered that these are not sufficient for the use of the Ministry of Defence within the city of Plymouth.
§ Mr. BlakerAbout 190 acres. Within this complex helicopters use two permanent sites and could use most open spaces in emergency. However, the RN hospital at Stonehouse has a requirement for the existing closer landing site at Military Road.
§ Dr. David Owenasked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will hold a public inquiry over the location of any helicopter landing site which the Ministry of Defence intends establishing and for which it does not require formal planning permission.
§ Mr. BlakerNormal consultation procedures would be followed.