§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is towards submitting planning applications for his Department's sites the use of which is already subject to a local plan public inquiry. [15713]
§ Dr. MoonieThe Ministry of Defence is obliged to optimise receipts to the Exchequer from the disposal of its surplus estate and adopts strategies which ensure that this objective is achieved while taking full account of local issues and concerns. Planning permission is sought in advance of disposal in order to release the site at the most beneficial value to the taxpayer.
In some cases where a local plan inquiry is in progress or has been completed it may be necessary to submit a planning application in order to determine development proposals in a reasonable timescale. This course is particularly useful if the principles of development have not been previously challenged at the local plan inquiry.