§ Mr. Ashtonasked the Secretary of State for Defence on what grounds he has applied for planning permission on 600 acres of land at Ranskill, Retford, Nottinghamshire; whether it is his intention to sell the land in the future if it is 38W not used for defence purposes; and whether, in order to alleviate public anxiety, he will make a statement as to the proposed future development of the area.
§ Mr. ArmstrongI have been asked to reply.
The disposal of the former Royal Ordnance Factory at Ranskill, which is surplus to Defence and other Government requirements, is being dealt with by the Property Services Agency of my Department. The Agency is following the normal policy of offering the site to local authorities and of asking for an indication of the future uses the local planning authority would permit before considering any open market sale.
Any future development of the area is primarily a matter for the local planning authority, but the views of the Department of Industry are also being sought.