§ Mr. BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list(a) Government developments in buildings, car parks and other constructions on (i) the Stormont estate and (ii) within a 2 km radius, commenced since 1988 and specifying their purposes, (b) the developments for which planning permission was applied for and then granted, indicating any planning permission refused as well as specifying which developments and extensions went ahead without any planning permission, (c) which (i) temporary buildings have been pulled down and (ii) land returned to its original use as parkland or agricultural land, specifying the locations and (d) the number of civil service jobs decanted out of the Stormont area since 1988; and if it is his intention to return any land concerned from its use for civil service buildings and related developments to parkland.
§ Mr. Tim SmithThe information is as follows:
- (a)
- (i) Within the Stormont estate there has been no new provision of general office accommodation or associated car parking since 1988.
- (ii) Within a 2 km radius of Stormont estate, developments which have commenced since 1988 consist of three laboratories, one animal carcase incinerator, one temporary car park and additional car park spaces at Netherleigh, Massey avenue. Planning permission was obtained for all these developments.
- (b) Planning permission was sought and obtained for all developments which required planning permission, which additionally comprised the following:
- Dundonald house—disabled access ramp
- Dundonald house—new entrance works and disabled access
- Castle buildings—replacement of fire escape
- Prince of Wales avenue public toilets—replacement building
- Massey avenue public toilet and store—replacement buildings
- Stormont estate boundary fence phase IV
- Veterinary science division—three laboratories
- Veterinary science division—one animal carcase incinerator
- Veterinary science division—one temporary car park
The following are permitted developments and therefore do not require planning permission:
- Courier headquarters—replacement temporary building
- Stormont estate—erection of bus shelters
- Stormont castle—works to extend car park
- (c) (i) No temporary buildings have been pulled down.
- (ii) No land has been returned to parkland or agricultural land as a result of the demolition of temporary buildings., However, a site beside Craigantlet buildings previously hardcored and earmarked for a computer contingency site, has been returned to parkland.
(d) Approximately 1,017 jobs have been permanently moved out of the Stormont estate since 1988.No office accommodation has been declared surplus as a result of the outward movement of staff from the Stormont area and there are no plans at present to return any land to its former use.