Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will delay the decision on disposal of his Departments land at Chorlton Cum Backford, Chester, until further consultation with (a) previous landowners and (b) local residents has been undertaken.

In accordance with the Crichel Down Rules, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) offered the land at Chorlton Cum Backford, to the former owner. These rules require all Government Departments to offer back surplus land (that meets the conditions set out in the rules) to the former owner at current market value.

Consultation with the former owner began in September 2019. The former owner has had the opportunity to consider the formal valuation of current market value since June 2020. The former owner has provided his response. The DIO are reviewing the former owner’s proposal.

If the sale to the former owner does not proceed, then the site will be offered to the open market, in line with Treasury Guidance. This enables consultation with all interested parties, including local residents.