HC Deb 13 March 1984 vol 56 cc115-6W
Mr. Bowen Wells

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the cost of building the new East Hertfordshire district health authority's headquarters, indicating separately the price of remodelling the orchard which it overlooks.

Mr. John Patten

The cost of building the new East Hertfordshire district health authority's headquarters is estimated as £650,000. The health authority is required to vacate its existing accommodation due to the withdrawal of temporary planning consent for use of the premises as offices and the dangerous condition of the building. Funding for the new development will come mainly from the sale of the site of the existing premises with the remainder from the proceeds of previous sales of property owned by the district.

I understand that the orchard will not be affected by this development. The health authority has separate plans to build a nursing home for the elderly mentally ill on another part of the site.