Special Urgency Provisions (Hansard, 11 April 2002)

§ Angela Eagle

Crown land is exempt from statutory planning control. Under the provisions of Circular 18/84 Government Departments instead must consult with local planning authorities before proceeding with Crown developments. In the event of an objection to the proposed development the matter may be referred to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (Stephen Byers), who may arrange for a non-statutory public local inquiry to be held. A decision will then be issued to all interested parties.

Paragraph 22 of the Circular permits Departments to seek responses from local planning authorities within just 14 clays, instead of the normal eight weeks. Unlike the normal procedure there is no obligation on the local planning authority to seek third party views. If no 567W response is received after 14 days the Department can proceed with the development by the service of notice on the authority.

The special urgency provisions of circular 18/84 have been applied in the following cases: Globe House, 89 Eccleston Square, London SW1; Date: January 1999; Nature of development: New London Passport Office——removal of asbestos and stripping of the interior (Phase 1), redevelopment of the building, change of use and construction of a two-storey side extension (Phase 2); Description of consultations: Consultations took the form of meetings between retained consultants and Westminster City Council. Yarl's Wood Immigration Detention Centre; Date: May 2000; Nature of development: Redevelopment and use of the site for an immigration detention centre; Description of consultations: Consultations included public meetings in Clapham and Milton Ernest village halls on 6 and 8 June 2000 respectively. Harmondsworth Immigration Detention Centre; Date: May 2000 Nature of development: Redevelopment of the site to provide an immigration detention centre, with associated hearing centre, administration building, visitors centre and car parking. Description of consultations: An application letter and drawings were sent to the local planning authority and subsequent consultations were undertaken on an informal basis. Formerly Her Majesty's Prison Aldington (Immigration Detention Centre); Date: June 2000 Nature of development: Construction of a 300-place immigration detention centre Description of consultations: Consultations took place with the local planning authority and three public meetings and an exhibition were held. This scheme has not been implemented. Logford House Removal Centre (Harmondsworth 2); Date: December 2001 Nature of development: Development and use of the site as a second immigration detention centre. Description of consultations: An application letter and drawings were sent to the local planning authority and subsequent consultations were undertaken on an informal basis. Langhurst House, Horsham; Date: February 1999 Nature of development: Construction of single-storey laboratory facility Description of consultations: An application letter and drawings were sent to the local planning authority and subsequent consultations were undertaken on an informal basis.

The special urgency provisions have also been used for 120-place blocks at the following prisons: Her Majesty's Prison Garth, Chorley (June-July 1996) Her Majesty's Prison Holme House, Stockton-on-Tees (July 1996) Her Majesty's Prison New Hall, Wakefield (June-October 1996) Her Majesty's Prison Bullingdon, Bicester (June-July 1996) Her Majesty's Prison Wetherby, Leeds (November 1996) Her Majesty's Prison Moorland, Doncaster (June 1996) Her Majesty's Prison Styal, Macclesfield (June 1996) Her Majesty's Prison Wymott, Chorley (July-August 1996) 568W Her Majesty's Prison Onley, Daventry (June 1996) Her Majesty's Prison Guys March, Dorset (June 1996) Her Majesty's Prison Rangy, Ranby (August-October 1996).

The special urgency provisions were also used for 40-place living units at the following prisons: Her Majesty's Prison Stocken, Rutland (November 1996) Her Majesty's Prison Norwich (November 1996) Her Majesty's Prison Downview, Banstead (November-December 1996) Her Majesty's Prison Kirklevington, Stockton-on-Tees (November-December 1996) Her Majesty's Prison Wayland, Thetford (November-December 1996) Her Majesty's Prison Haverigg, Millom (October-November 1996) Her Majesty's Prison Kirkham, Fylde (October 1996) Her Majesty's Prison Littlehey, Huntington (November 1996) Her Majesty's Prison Ashwell. Rutland (November 1996)

In the period since the answer of 13 March 2002 special urgency provisions were applied in respect of 40-place rapid modular units at the following prisons:

Her Majesty's Prison Acklington, Morpeth
Her Majesty's Prison Eventhorpe, Brough
Her Majesty's Young Offender Institution Hatfield, Hatfield
Her Majesty's Prison Haverigg, Millom
Her Majesty's Prison Highpoint, Stradishall
Her Majesty's Prison Hollesley Bay, Woodbridge
Her Majesty's Prison Leyhill, Wot ton-Under-Edge
Her Majesty's Prison Lindholme, Hatfield Woodhouse
Her Majesty's Prison North Sea Camp, Boston
Her Majesty's Prison Prescoed, Usk
Her Majesty's Prison Ranby, Ranby
Her Majesty's Prison Standford, Eastchurch
Her Majesty's Prison Stocken, Stretton
Her Majesty's Prison Spring Hill, Grendon Underwood
Her Majesty's Prison Wayland, Thetford
Her Majesty's Prison Wealstun, near Weatherby (clearance received in April 2002)

Finally, special urgency provisions were applied in March 2002 in respect of a 40-place ready-to-use unit at the following prison: Her Majesty's Prison (HMP) Morton Hall, Swinderby (clearance received in March 2002)

In the case of all prison developments an application letter and drawings were sent to the local planning authority and subsequent consultations were undertaken on an informal basis.