MOD explores future for London barracks to improve soldier accommodation

The Ministry of Defence is seeking the views of industry on how to improve facilities for soldiers based in central London.

Hyde Park Barracks is the home of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment (HCMR), which provides ceremonial troops for all state occasions. The Barracks date from 1970 and are now in need of modernisation so the MOD is asking developers to propose potential solutions to improve their facilities.

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), MOD’s property and services provider has now commissioned a market testing exercise which could lead to the relocation of the HCMR to a new London base, enabling the release of the vacated site for an alternative use. However, a decision to relocate the HCMR will only be taken if the proposal provides improved facilities and ensures the Regiment can continue its ceremonial duties.  

DIO project officer Paul Howarth said:

“DIO’s priority is to support our Armed Forces as they prepare for their military duties. We are constantly looking for ways of improving facilities for soldiers, but site limitations at Hyde Park Barracks restrict effective modernisation.

“We are considering options to address this and relocation of the HCMR is one option. It is essential that HCMR still remains in central London to enable participation in ceremonial and public duties.

“Developers are asked to identify alternative Central London sites that, as part of a commercial solution, could give HCMR more space and scope for better facilities. However, any proposals must meet a range of military criteria before being given further consideration.”

Any alternative sites must meet the military criteria, which stipulate, amongst other things, that a proposed site must be:

• large enough to locate all facilities required by HCMR on-site;
• located within 4 km (some 30 minutes ride ) of Horse Guards Parade;
• large enough to have an on-site indoor area for exercising horses; and
• located no more than 1 km from an outdoor equestrian exercise area and park-land.

CBRE has been appointed as the property advisor for this stage of the project, due to its significant expertise and experience in market testing working with the MOD.

Peter Burns, Executive Director at CBRE, said:

“The opportunity that Hyde Park Barracks offers will generate interest from a wide variety of national and international developers. The market testing process is designed to help DIO formulate the most beneficial route to secure the goal of delivering best in class accommodation for the HCMR.”

Ends

Further information:

Press enquiries to:  Tony Moran, DIO Senior Communications Officer: 0121 311 3879 or tony.moran572@mod.uk

DIO website: www.mod.uk/dio

Notes to editors

1. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) is part of the Ministry of Defence (MOD). It is responsible for managing and maintaining land and properties to meet the current and future needs of the MOD and personnel at home and abroad, and to support current operations.

2. Our work includes providing, supporting and improving: operational units; single living and service family accommodation; training areas and historic military sites. DIO actively manages these to ensure the needs of Defence are met, value for money is achieved, our heritage is protected and to achieve our environmental goals.

3. A Prior Information Notice calling for proposals from commercial developers has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU). Further information is available at www.ojeu.com

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