§ Sir Trevor SkeetTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what consultations have taken place since the announcement of the closure of the airfield at Thurleigh, Bedfordshire between his Department and agencies and the local authorities in the county; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will make it his policy to discuss the terms of the proposals covering Thurleigh airfield with the local authorities involved before completing negotiations with United Parcel Services;
(3) if he will make it his policy to ensure that North Bedfordshire borough council is requested for planning permission for a change in use for Thurleigh airfield from military to civilian flying;
(4) how many applicants have approached his Department for authority to use the airfield at Thurleigh for (a) flying and purposes connected therewith, (b) commercial users, other than as an airport, (c) recreational purposes and (d) housing; and whether any negotiations have been completed;
(5) what account he takes in considering the future of Thurleigh airfield in Bedfordshire of (a) noise, (b) planning blight, (c) environmental despoliation and (d) loss of amenity.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleSince my announcement on 9 May of our intention to dispose of Thurleigh (Bedford) airfield on relocation of research and experimental flying to Boscombe Down, consultants acting on our behalf have held several discussions with Bedfordshire county and North Bedfordshire borough councils in the course of stage II of their study into disposal and marketing strategy. We anticipate a continuing, more detailed, dialogue, once the consultants' findings have been evaluated. We are not, in the meantime, in formal negotiation with either United Parcels Service or the 10 other commercial concerns which have discussed their informal interest in alternative use for the airfield site with our consultants.
In considering the disposal of Thurleigh airfield, our objective is to agree a way forward with the local authorities concerned that is consistent both with our duty to maximise the potential return from sale and with legitimate local environmental and infrastructure concerns, which it would be our intention to address in an environmental impact assessment. Any subsequent developments within the context of current planning legislation would be the subject of a formal submission to North Bedfordshire borough council.