John Baron

Conservative Party | Billericay and District

John Baron MP: Ministers deny knowledge of Barn Hall kickback

July 6 2009

Letter says 85 percent kickback played no part in planning decision, but MP asks further question in Parliament

John Baron MP has received a reply to his letter to the then Communities Secretary Hazel Blears after his FoI Act request showed the Government is entitled to 85% of increased value of land at Barn Hall subject to the granting of planning permission. Hazel Blears granted planning permission despite opposition from her own planning inspector. The response to John's letter states that Ministers and officials:

"…were unaware that the land was owned by Defra before 2003 and unaware of the contract of sale. Consequently, these issues played no part whatsoever in influencing the decision."

John has tabled a Parliamentary written question to confirm this statement with the Department for the Environment, Fisheries and Rural Affairs.

Commenting, John said:

"The whole community was against development – residents, Councillors and MP – and the Planning Inspectorate agreed with us. So it is difficult to see on what basis Hazel Blears granted planning permission."

"I welcome this denial that the kickback had anything to do with the decision, but I still believe there was a fundamental conflict of interest. I am therefore asking Defra to confirm that no conversations about the contract took place across Government."