HC Deb 28 July 1981 vol 9 c450W
Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when the survey of soil contamination at the surplus Woolwich Arsenal site adjacent to Beresford Square, S.E.18 was started; and when the results are expected to be announced.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

I have been asked to reply.

The survey began in March 1981 and a report with an assessment by PSA engineers, was received on 16 July 1981.

Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when land at Woolwich Arsenal adjacent to Beresford Square, S.E.18 first became surplus to his Department's needs; when it was first offered to the London borough of Greenwich; what stage negotiations have now reached; and when the site will be offered for sale in the open market.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

I have been asked to reply.

The Ministry of Defence declared the land surplus in 1965. The site was first formally offered to the London borough of Greenwich on 11 April 1968 following informal discussion. In March this year Greenwich said it was now unlikely to purchase the surplus land and proposed a joint sale of this site and adjacent ones belonging to CEGB and itself. The offer of the whole site for sale depends on the progress of discussions on this proposal and the decision by the Ministry of Defence on the extent to which the site will need to be decontaminated before sale. I am in touch with my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence Procurement on this aspect.

Terms have been agreed subject to assessment of the price by the district valuer for the sale of 2.5 acres fronting Plumstead Road to the GLC for road improvements.