§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ensure(a) that the Metropolitan Police consult local residents about their proposed sale of land in Wanstead and (b) that the land remains open land. [57546]
§ Kate HoeyThe Receiver for the Metropolitan Police District tells me that the Metropolitan Police are disposing of the land at 23–30 Wanstead High Street, not developing it. As such, it is for the new owners of the land to undertake any appropriate local consultation for their planned development.
Although there has been no formal consultation with local residents, representatives of the Metropolitan Police met a delegation of local residents in August who were protesting about the proposed sale of the land, which is an enclosed site where two houses have been demolished. They explained the reasons for selling the site, and listened to the residents' concerns. A local public inquiry, into the application for a mixed development of shops and flats, is due to be held on 1 December this year, when a planning inspector will hear objections, from local residents and others, before making a recommendation to the Secretary of State.
The use to which the land is put, including making it an open public space, will throughout be subject to planning permission.