§ Mr. Brintonasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, in view of the objections to the proposed change of use of this land expressed by Gravesham borough council and its call for a public inquiry, he still intends to purchase Court and Brokers' Farm at Luddestown in Kent for use as an Army training area.
§ Mr. WigginI still see a need to acquire this land to meet an important military training requirement. I have therefore asked the Property Services Agency to refer the unresolved planning issues to the Department of the Environment in accordance with the provisions of DOE circular 7/77. It will be for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment to consider whether a public inquiry should be held before he reaches a decision. In the meantime, it is clear that we shall have to acquire the land, against the possibility of a successful outcome to the planning procedures, if the opportunity is not to be lost. Accordingly, I have authorised the PSA to make a firm offer for the purhase of the property. This purchase does not in any way prejudge the consideration of the planning case by the DOE. If in the end my right hon. Friend is unable to give planning clearance for the proposed change of use, the land will be resold. Meanwhile, arrangements will be made for it to continue to be farmed. My Department remains ready to have discussions with the Gravesham borough council and with local environmental and conservation groups about possible ways of overcoming the objections expressed by local people.