Mr T Richards,
Head of Planning Services,
Department of Technical Services,
Borough Council Offices,
West Grove Road,
Harrogate HG1 2AU

Dear Sir,

Re: Menwith Hill US National Security Agency Station:
Notice of Proposed Development 6.500.229CROWND:
Removal and replacement of underground fuel storage tanks:

It would appear that work to replace the underground fuel storage tanks at Menwith Hill has begun - in disregard of the Environment Agency's recommendations.

I reported to you in my letter of 20th February, that mobile fuel pumps, a replacement tank (dimensions: c. 2.5m X 2.5m X 2.5m, capacity c. 16,000L) and excavators were parked on the SATCOM Car Park. They have since been removed. I believe that they have been moved to the locality of Building 42B, where the 4,000L heating oil tank is to be replaced with an aboveground 16,000L. There is also excavation work in progress in the Ops area adjacent to the Jetsams' diesel generators' storage tanks.

According to the letter dated 6 December 2002, received from Adam Ingram, Minister of State for the Armed Forces (copy enclosed) the local authority is the responsible body for oversight of the Menwith Hill environment. Harrogate Council has some power to enforce implementation of the recommendations. His final paragraph states:

'Ms Lee's detailed comments relating to the post exchange facility and the AAFES gas station are properly matters for the Harrogate Borough Council to consider. I am satisfied that all reasonable steps have been taken to mitigate any environmental impact caused by these projects, but if the local authority is unhappy with any aspect of the proposals I would expect the Base to work with them to find an acceptable solution'.

In practice there is no UK control over Menwith Hill (not even by the Secretary of State for Defence?). We shall have to ask.

Yours sincerely,

Anne Lee pp WoMenwith women.