Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of the sale of MDP Wethersfield on (a) the Volunteer Glider Squadron based there and (b) air cadets in the Eastern region.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
All units based at Wethersfield including 614 Volunteer Gliding Squadron will be provided for elsewhere. Work to identify the future location for these units will be completed later this year. We are strongly committed to the Air Cadets in the Eastern Region and 614 Volunteer Gliding Squadron, when it moves from Wethersfield, will expand into its new role as a regional hub.
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has been made on the sale of Knightsbridge Barracks; and when he expects the site to be put out to tender.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin
The plans to dispose of Hyde Park Barracks are in development and it is too early to say when land may be released for sale.
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of the selling of MDP Wethersfield on the Ministry of Defence Police.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
There is not expected to be any effect on the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Police. 91% of all operational MOD Police Officers are stationed at other locations around the United Kingdom with Wethersfield providing a Headquarters and training capability. The functions and facilities currently provided at Wethersfield to support the Ministry of Defence Police have already been surveyed and they will be re-provided at a new location. The eventual move of the MOD Police from Wethersfield will be managed to ensure minimal disruption or risk to the policing and security of the Defence estate
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what property assets his Department (a) has sold in the last five years and (b) plans to sell before 2020 as part of the Government's commitment to dispose of surplus assets and make better use of the Department's estate.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
A copy of the Department's property assets sold within the last five years is attached.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has committed to releasing land to accommodate 55,000 homes before 2020, in support of the Government's public sector land release target. The MOD has also committed to reducing the built Defence estate by 30% by 2040. This year in January and March I announced 19 sites which will provide land for some 21,000 homes in this Parliament. By the end of this year I shall clarify further land release plans.
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of potential alternative uses of MDP Wethersfield.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The Ministry of Defence together with the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) jointly commissioned a study by Cushmann Wakefield in 2015 to identify potential future uses for the Wethersfield site, subject to all necessary planning approvals.
The study reported that the site had the potential to be a mixed development of commercial/employment, housing, education and community uses with supporting public open space.
The HCA will work closely with the Local Planning Authority and other interested parties to consider the best possible future uses for the site.