§ Ms. ArmstrongTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department expects to respond to letters from Derwentside district council of 1 September, 15 September and 6 October regarding planning permission for the proposed secure training unit at Medomsley; and what are the reasons for the delay.
§ Mr. MacleanI understand that the letters from Derwentside district council concern an application for planning permission made under section 299 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
The letter of 1 September was an acknowledgement of the application and a response was not requested. The letters of 15 September and 6 October invited payment of a planning fee in connection with the application. Payments of this kind are not normally made until the enabling legislation has been enacted. I apologise for the delay in responding to the correspondence. My officials will shortly be writing to Derwentside district council about the application.
§ Ms. ArmstrongTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what guidance or regulation the Home Office made an application for planning permission to Derwentside district council for a secure unit on part of the former site of Medomsley prison; and for what reason his Department was unable to pay the statutory fee.
§ Mr. MacleanApplications have been made for the development of a secure training centre on part of the site of the former detention centre at Medomsley under DOE circular 18/84 and also section 299 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
1351WIn respect of any planning fee due, payments of this kind are not normally made until the enabling legislation has been enacted.