Speeches by McKinnell.

“That is really helpful; thank you. Finally, as an MP for Newcastle, I cannot resist asking you about The Gate. Obviously, the out-to-market sale proposition is at a significantly reduced value compared with the amount it was purchased at. It would be helpful if you could explain what is happening there.”

“That all sounds very upbeat. I guess this is an opportunity for you to say what could be done to support the process. For example, can the Government do more to free up some of the obstacles that might be in the way, or to ease the path? Is there more that could be done?”

“On the partnership with Lendlease, is it a new approach by the Crown Estate to have a partner that retains the position of development manager? Are you looking to expand that just with Lendlease, or perhaps with other development partners?”

“But in terms of housing.”

“Before you come in with some further information, Helen, I want to challenge you on the portfolio currently being heavily weighted towards London. Could you reflect on that in your answer? It would be helpful to understand what, if anything, is happening to diversify that.”

“My questions are probably for you, Dan. I want to ask you further about the offshore wind farm sites. You have set out some of the lengthy stakeholder engagement and the processes required to progress such leases, but the Crown Estate has clearly faced significant challenge in making progress on them. Can you explain t…”

“That is really helpful; thank you. I am an MP who represents the north-east, being from Newcastle. There is quite a lot of talk about round 6, based primarily off the north-east coast. Are there any particular learnings for that round that the Crown Estate will apply to make sure the opportunity for investment does hap…”

“Could you clarify whether this is to do with the partial buying out of Lendlease and the investment in that? How does that fit with the plan to invest in new developments and expand around the country?”

“Sorry—I was thinking more about the property development side.”

“Will that be an open competition, or do you have that relationship only with Lendlease at the moment?”

“I guess the challenge will be making sure that whoever purchases it can run it as effectively, and that it remains a key asset in the city centre as part of that urban development.”

“Is that connected to Lendlease?”

“Okay; that is helpful. I want to go on to urban development, which follows quite nicely from what you were saying about supporting the areas as much as the industry offshore. As you are well aware, the Crown Estate was established as a company founded for the benefit of the country and, as you say, it needs to benefit …”

“When will that decision be made? Or when does it need to be made so that it does not have a knock-on impact on the programme or on decisions being made?”

“Who makes the decision on the schedule?”

“Are you saying that if these decisions are made in—your worst-case scenario—two years from today, that will enable the timeframe you are intending to work to?”

“You got on nicely to temporary accommodation, which is what I want to ask about. What decisions will have to be made? You have highlighted that the QEII centre is not actually a certainty yet; that is going to have to be pursued. How will we make sure that we can drive the temporary accommodation process and decision m…”

“Could you explain what that means? What do you by something “has not come to fruition”?”

“I have to say that sounds very vague to me. I think we need to be able to communicate that a bit clearer, because it sounds very vague, and there is lots of potential for elasticity in the timeframes in what you are saying. That is just the impression I get. I think we need to be careful. Can you give us some reassuran…”

“What is holding up the debates?”