§ Mr. LeighTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how long the former Department of the Environment buildings in Marsham Street have been empty; what is their square footage; and what is the commercial rent lost as a result of them being empty. [102866]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyResponsibility for this matter has been delegated under the terms of the Framework Document to the Property Advisers to the Civil Estate. I have asked its Chief Executive, Mr. John Locke, to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from John C. Locke to Mr. Edward Leigh, dated 16 December 1999:
The Minister of State for the Cabinet Office, Ian McCartney, has asked me as Chief Executive of Property Advisers to the Civil Estate (PACE), to respond to your recent Parliamentary Question about 2 Marsham Street.The Department of the Environment, Transport and Regions finally vacated 2 Marsham Street at the end of April 1998. The existing building has a net internal area of 603,708 square feet or 56,084.5 square metres.2 Marsham Street, in its present condition, would not attract a commercial letting, as the existing buildings would require a substantial refurbishment before they could be re-occupied. At the575Wtime Home Office were considering decant use, the cost of refurbishment was estimated to be in the region of £30 million. In the Agency's view refurbishment to attract a commercial rent is not a viable option.Until Home Office have reached a decision on the re-use of the site, in connection with their Headquarters PFI project, they have agreed to pay the holding costs of the property, including a rent which represents a return on the value of the site.Pending the commencement of demolition, part of the lower floors of the building are once again being used as an emergency winter shelter for the homeless.