HC Deb 18 July 1978 vol 954 cc212-3W
Mr. Ridley

asked the Secretary of State for Defence where he proposes that new houses and flats should be built to accommodate the United States Air Force personnel to man the base at Fairford; and whether any such building shall be subject to planning consents.

Mr. Wellbeloved

It is not possible at this stage to estimate the numbers, if any, of new married quarters that might need to be built to accommodate the United States Air Force personnel who will be based at RAF Fairford. This would depend on a detailed survey of the USAF requirements and the numbers of suitable married quarters that the Ministry of Defence could make available.

If any new building should prove to be necessary, the quarters would be sited on the base if space could be found to accommodate them. No consideration has yet been given to where quarters might be located if, in the event, it became necessary to build any off the base.

Development by the Crown does not require planning permission, but the Ministry of Defence, in common with other Departments, follows the procedures set out in the Department of the Environment's Circular 7/77, which required Departments to consult local planning authorities about Government proposals for development. The procedures would be followed in respect of any new building of married quarters, whether on or off the base, for USAF personnel at RAF Fairford.