§ Mr. LeighTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date it is planned to start demolishing the old Department of the Environment offices at 2 Marsham Street. [158838]
§ Mr. StrawI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend, the Member for Regent's Park and Kensington, North (Ms Buck), on 28 July 2000,Official Report, column 1167W. Contract negotiations for developing the Marsham Street site as a public private partnership project are currently in progress with Anne's Gate Property plc, the preferred bidder. The City of Westminster has resolved in February to grant detailed planning consent subject to completion of a planning agreement which is currently being negotiated. Provided final contract terms can be agreed between the Home Office and the preferred bidder, a start on demolishing the old Department of the Environment offices is planned later this year.