HC Deb 25 February 2003 vol 400 cc433-4W
Mr. Viggers

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department had for the Daedalus site at Lee-on-the-Solent in(a) 1990, (b) 1995, (c) 2000 and (d) January 2003; and when the plans changed in each case. [99012]

Dr. Moonie

In 1990 HMS Daedalus, an operational Fleet Air Station, had been identified for closure as part of the Royal Navy's rationalisation of its fixed wing flying capability.

In 1995 the site was in the process of rundown prior to closure, and early disposal planning work had commenced, involving complex legal and planning issues. A development strategy was agreed with the two local planning authorities

By 2000 the marketing of the site had commenced, but additional planning and other issues delayed marketing. Against that background, and following the publication of "In Trust and On Trust: A Strategy for the Defence Estate" in June2000, a review of all Ministry of Defence establishments commenced. In July 2001, it was confirmed that the site had potential for future MOD reuse and investment. Part of the site has since been included within a private finance iInitiative to provide MOD service family married quarters. In January 2003 it was recognised that some peripheral parts of the site might be capable of disposal without detriment to potential re-use of the remaining core site by MOD. The master planning and marketing strategies to implement this were under consideration prior to the approach by the Home Office on 11 February. Tuesday 25 February 2003.

Mr. Viggers

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has to construct housing for MOD personnel at the Daedalus site. [99013]

Dr. Moonie

The Defence Housing Executive, an Agency of the Ministry of Defence, is inviting PFI bidders to tender for the build of 148 houses in the Gosport area, to meet the needs of Service families. Part of the Daedalus site, sufficient to build these houses, will be offered to bidders. Planning permission has however been sought for up to 300 houses in case a further development for Service family occupation is needed at a later date.