RAF Chilmark (Hansard, 27 July 2000)

§ Mr. Key
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when(a) explosive ordnance disposal and (b) contamination clearance will be completed at the RAF Chilmark site. [132174]

§ Dr. Moonie
The explosive ordnance disposal on the Headquarters site at RAF Chilmark is programmed for completion by mid-October 2000. On the Ladydown site it is expected to take 2 to 3 years.
The extent of contamination which requires clearance cannot be assessed until the explosive ordnance has been completed. A further statement will be made when the timescale is known.

§ Mr. Key
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason the HQ North and HQ South parts of the RAF Chilmark site must be re-checked for explosive ordnance; and when this will be(a) started and (b) completed. [132173]

§ Dr. Moonie
The HQ North and HQ South parts of the RAF Chilmark site, together with the Proof Yard, are being re-checked for explosive ordnance following the discovery of projectiles in the Proof Yard in May 2000.
The re-checking started in May 2000 and is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

§ Mr. Key
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Crichel Down rules apply to the site of former RAF Chilmark; and if he will list(a) the former owners and (b) those who are in negotiation with his Department. [132172]

§ Dr. Moonie
The Crichel Down rules apply to the former RAF Chilmark as they do to all surplus Government land acquired by or under the threat of compulsion. My Department has concluded that the obligation to offer land back to the former owners applies to parts of the site.
My Department is trying to trace the former owners or successors to establish whether they are interested in repurchasing the land. It is not possible to identify the former owners until this process has been completed. However, my Department is in discussion with Salisbury District Council, Wiltshire County Council, English Nature and the Wiltshire Trust, who are seeking to establish the Chilmark Trust in order to acquire the site. My Department will not be able to conclude discussions until the former owner position is clarified.