HC Deb 21 November 1983 vol 49 cc18-9W
Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when negotiations for the release of Royal Arsenal land for the widening of Plumstead road-Beresford street, Woolwich, began; when they were completed; and what has been the reason for the delay in reaching agreement.

Mr. Stanley

The negotiations for the release of the land for the road-widening scheme formed part of wider discussions with the London Borough of Greenwich over the sale of the whole of the Beresford Square site, which began formally when the site was offered for sale in April 1968.

The borough was eventually obliged to withdraw in 1979 but negotiations continued with the GLC about its purchase of a part of the site for road widening. Legal completion is in hand and terms for early entry by the GLC have been agreed.

The delay has mainly been caused by the need to take into account the existence of listed buildings and soil contamination, and to resolve questions about the precise route of the road and accommodation works (including maintaining security).