§ Ms RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what alternative courses of action from those listed in "Improving the Training Infrastructure at Otterburn Training Area: The MOD's Aspirations for the Next Five Years" were considered in environmental appraisals undertaken by his Department; [19528]
(2) what procedures have been put in place by his Department to monitor the environmental impacts arising from the implementation of "Improving the Training Infrastructure at Otterburn Training Area: The MOD's Aspirations for the Next Five Years"; [19530]
(3) if "Improving the Training Infrastructure at Otterburn Training Area: The MOD's Aspirations for the Next Five Years" has been subject to an environmental 452W appraisal using the guidance contained in "Policy Appraisal and the Environment" produced by the Department of the Environment; [19527]
(4) how "Improving the Training Infrastructure at Otterburn Training Area: The MOD's Aspirations for the Next Five Years" was modified by the results the environmental appraisals undertaken by his Department. [19529]
§ Mr. SoamesThe Ministry of Defence document to which the hon. Member refers was produced at the request of the Northumberland national park authority. It sets out my Department's aspirations for improving the infrastructure at Otterburn training area for the next five years and describes the positive planning principles the Ministry of Defence has adopted for taking these forward. It will be used to take forward our discussions with the park authority under the normal planning arrangements in Department of the Environment circular 18/84. None of the aspirations has yet been agreed, and each remains subject to internal scrutiny, funding, and planning consent.
My Department's aim, through this forward-looking document, is to provide the national park authority with a clearer understanding of the likely trend of development, against which they will be better placed to judge the acceptability or otherwise of individual development applications. Full environmental appraisals will be undertaken as appropriate, and these will take due account of all relevant environmental considerations and where necessary draw upon Government policy and guidance as contained in documents such as the Department of the Environment's "Policy Appraisal and the Environment".