From the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State

The Rt Hon Dr Denis MacShane MP
House of Commons
LONDON
SW1AOAA

Department for
Transport

Great Minster House 76 Marsham Street London SW1P4DR
Tel: 020 7944 2566
Fax: 020 7944 4309
E-Mail: jim.fitzpatrick@dft.gsi.gov.uk
Web site: www.dft.gov.uk OUR REF: GH/JF/029672/08

2 4 NOV 2008

Thank you for your letter of 7 November addressed to Geoff Hoon enclosing correspondence from Mr Peter Hawkridge of Rotherham District Civic Society, 43 Scholes Lane, Rotherham regarding the future of Rotherham driving test centre. I am replying as I have Ministerial responsibility for the Driving Standards Agency (DSA).
Rotherham test centre is a freehold site and subject to planning permission, has potential for redevelopment as residential/social housing. DSA had decided to sell the site but in light of the current property market, it does not propose to market this site until spring 2009, in order to make the most of its return.
As to the condition of the property, I can confirm that DSA has a security contract in place to monitor the condition and maintenance of its vacant sites and Rotherham test centre is covered by that contract.

JIM FITZPATRICK