§ Mr. Robert McCartneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what portions of the Stormont estate have been built over or taken out of their natural state since 1 January 1985; what was the size and purpose of each action and the total proportion of the estate so lost: and what further areas are proposed for either new-build or return to nature. [5457]
§ Mr. MossSince 1 January 1985. the following portions of the Stormont estate have been built over or taken out of their natural state:
1167W
Size (hectares) Purpose of Action 1. 0.08 Construction of car park. 2. 1.11 Intended for construction of building. Now in use as a site for temporary decant buildings. 3. 0.65 Originally designated as a site for a building but has been returned to grass and tree saplings. 4. 0.36 Construction of car park. 5. 0.05 Access road. 6. 0.19 Construction of car park. 7. 0.07 Extension of existing car park. 8. 0.14 Hard standing and small car park. 9. 0.55 Provision of plastic playing pitch. 3.20 This represents 2.5 per cent. of the whole estate.
It is not envisaged that any further areas will be used for new-build or will be converted into wooded or grassed areas. At present, some areas normally grassed over are in use, on a temporary basis, either by contractors engaged in the refurbishment work to Parliament Buildings or for temporary accommodation for staff displaced by refurbishment work to Parliament Buildings, Castle Buildings and Stormont house. Those areas will be reinstated at the end of the contracts.