Written question asked by Caroline Spelman (Conservative) on Monday, 4 September 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 11 September 2006. It was answered by Yvette Cooper (Labour) on Monday, 9 October 2006 on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Planning

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what role the (a) Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and (b) Deputy Prime Minister played in the planning permission process to redevelop the Eaglescliffe Logistics Centre in Middlesbrough.

Answer: [holding answer: 11 September 2006]: Neither the Deputy Prime Minister nor his officials played any role in the process of determining the original application by Cenargo Property Ltd for planning permission to erect warehousing and offices at the Eaglescliffe Logistics Centre. Planning permission was granted with conditions by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council in November 2001.We understand that Stockton-on-Tees borough council is currently considering an application by Sanderson Weatherall, chartered surveyors on behalf of J G Eaglescliffe (Holdings) Ltd, to renew the original planning permission granted in 2001. There has been no ministerial or official involvement in this application for renewal.The borough council has also given Sanderson Weatherall a screening opinion on a proposal for mixed development on the site, comprising housing, a care home, an hotel, and Class Bl, B2 and B8 (office, retail and storage) uses. The borough council has advised that an environmental impact assessment (EIA) would be required with any planning application for this proposal. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, would need to consider any request for a screening direction that an EIA is not required. We have received no such request so far.

Secondary information