St. Leonard's Hospital, Dorset

HC Deb 18 July 2001 vol 372 cc237-8W

Mr. Chope

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will instruct NHS Estates to demolish the redundant buildings in their ownership at St. Leonard's Hospital, Dorset; and if he will make a statement. [4755]

Ms Blears

National Health Service Estates appealed in April 2000 against the non-determination of the planning application for the St. Leonard's Hospital site by East Dorset district council.

In July 2000 the planning inspectorate requested that NHS Estates undertake an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the site. Work for the EIA has been completed and submitted. A date for the public inquiry into the planning appeal is awaited from the planning inspectorate.

It would be inappropriate to demolish the buildings until the conclusion of the planning appeal.