§ Sir Trevor SkeetTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what plans he has for the Ministry of Defence and the Defence Research Agency to use the airfield at Thurleigh for non-flying purposes;
(2) what will he the role of the Ministry of Defence towards development on the Thurleigh airfield during the transfer of facilities to Boscombe Down and Farnborough up to about 1993;
(3) how he proposes to reconcile a maximum return to Her Majesty's Government on the disposal of land and assets at Thurleigh with the need to safeguard existing residents against loss of amenity and environmental despoliation;
(4) what instructions he has given his consultants covering the next phase of consultations with local authorities and other interested parties over the use of the airfield at Thurleigh;
(5) whether he proposes to agree planning use of the airfield at Thurleigh with Bedfordshire county council prior to the conclusion of any sale to prospective purchasers of the land;
(6) if he will ensure that before any sale of the airfield at Thurleigh he will insist on an evironmental assessment being undertaken to cover the future use of the site;
(7) whether he is prepared to compensate local residents against loss of amenity due to excessive noise in the event of a substantial increase in aircraft use of the airfield at Thurleigh;
(8) if he will consider the disposal of the airfield at Thurleigh within a broad regional and national framework.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleFollowing my announcement on 9 May concerning the collocation of research and experimental flying at Boscombe Down, detailed work has been set in hand to assess the options for disposal of the surplus airfields at Bedford and Farnborough.
A specialist consultancy firm has been retained to assist in this phase and it will be continuing its discussions with local planning authorities and other interested parties with a view to submitting recommendations on the planning and marketing strategies to be adopted for the effective disposal of the airfield sites.
As stated in my earlier announcement, our preliminary assessment is that Thurleigh airfield, Bedford could have potential as a commercial non-passenger airfield. It would be our intention to avoid a fragmented disposal of the site, 78W if this were possible, and to offer it for sale in its entirety—save for a small MOD enclave which we envisage will be retained to house a simulator facility. Any proposals for other uses by either the MOD or the Defence Research Agency will need to be considered against the need to make the most cost-effective use of the defence estate, while at the same time maximising the return to the defence budget from the sale of surplus land.
In disposing of Thurleigh, it is our intention to agree a development brief with the local authorities concerned, prior to effecting the disposal of the site. This use of the planning machinery will ensure that any relevant regional and national factors are taken into account in so far as they relate to the disposal of the airfield. In addition, this will allow the maximum return to the MOD consistent with legitimate local requirements. We are considering the preparations of an environmental impact assessment once our future disposal plans are clearer. The environmental impact arising from further development of the airfield, after disposal by the MOD, and any question of compensation that may arise would, of course, he for a new owner of the airfield to resolve.
The MOD will consider all proposals for development of Thurleigh airfield in the period leading up to disposal on their merits, subject to their not prejudicing the longer-term disposal strategy.