Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, what planning permissions have been sought and given for the White Cliffs inland border facility near Dover; what other permissions are (1) needed, (2) have been sought, and (3) have been given; what works have started without any planning permission; what consultation with local residents has taken place; what compensation will be payable to local residents; how long the facility is planned to remain in place; and what assurances they have given about reinstatement of the site at the end of its period of operation.

My department has not received any planning application for the use and development of land at White Cliffs, Dover as an Inland Border Facility.

I understand that the Department of Transport has stated that it intends to seek approval under the Town and Country Planning (Border Facilities and Infrastructure) (EU Exit) (England) Special Development Order 2020, for a facility in Dover.

My department has not received any submission seeking the Secretary of State’s approval to the development and use a specific site in Dover. As my Ministerial colleague will be taking decisions on any site-specific proposals it is not appropriate for me to comment on sites that are or may be the subject of a proposal; we will take decisions without pre-determination and on the basis of the evidence and advice in front of us.

I also understand that the Government’s border facing departments have provided a website with information on their plans for delivering inland border facilities, with details of individual proposals and how to comment. The website can be found at: https://inlandborderfacilities.uk/.