DIO and Inland Homes working on plan for Beaconsfield site

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) is set to work with Inland Homes, South Bucks District Council (SBDC) and Buckinghamshire County Council (BCC) to formulate a detailed development brief for the future of the Defence School of Languages site at Wilton Park, Beaconsfield.

Whilst the future location of the Defence School of Languages has not been decided, it will not be at Wilton Park – making the site surplus to Defence requirements and available for development.

The site has been identified within SBDC’s Core Strategy for a high-quality residentially-led mixed-use development scheme. DIO has agreed a working partnership with Inland Homes, which owns land adjacent to the site that is needed to deliver an appropriate means of access off the Pyebush roundabout.

Together with SBDC and BCC, the DIO and Inland Homes will be working on a development brief for the site. Extensive public consultation will give local people the opportunity to help shape the form of future development on this important site.  Further details about the consultation process will follow in due course.

Martin Lloyd, DIO Head of Disposals South, said:  “The Defence Infrastructure Organisation continually reviews its property holdings to ensure that only sufficient land and property is held to meet current operational requirements. 

“Future development of the Wilton Park site in Beaconsfield supports the Government’s housing agenda in providing Brownfield land for much-needed market and affordable housing. DIO is pleased to be working with Inland Homes and the local planning authorities to deliver a development brief for the site” 

Paul Brett, Land Director of Inland Homes, said: “Inland are delighted to be working with DIO, South Bucks District Council and Buckinghamshire County Council to formulate the development brief on this very important project.

“As highly experienced developers with particular expertise in creating new communities on challenging sites, we are looking forward to creating a very special new community that integrates well with its sensitive surroundings.” 

Roger Reed, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Development at South Bucks District Council, said: “Wilton Park is an important opportunity site where the District Council will be seeking a – high quality – mix of residential and employment development, community facilities and open space.

“The planning policies in the Council’s recently adopted Core Strategy provide a broad framework for redevelopment of Wilton Park, and the next stage in the process is to prepare a development brief that will establish the more detailed development and design principles for this key site.” 

Ends

Press enquiries to: Tony Moran, DIO Press Office: 0121 311 3879 or tony.moran572@mod.ukDIO 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. Inland Homes plc is a leading regeneration company which specialises in the re-development of Brownfield development opportunities in the South-East for residential and/or mixed use schemes.

4. The company’s focus is on achieving sustainable developments and communities, reusing development sites so that scarce resources are conserved for the benefit of future generations.

5. In 2011 Inland Homes plc’s revenue increased by 29.2 per cent to £21.4m, and showed an operating profit of £3.5m.  The company’s net assets stand at £48.5m. The company is working on sites in Chelmsford, West Drayton, West London, Queensgate in Farnborough and Poole, in Dorset. 

6. Inland Homes won the prestigious Land Award, sponsored by the Land Trust, at the annual Sustain Magazine Awards in 2011. For more information on Inland Homes plc please visit www.inlandplc.com.

7. The South Bucks Core Strategy was adopted in February 2012.  In addition to more general policies addressing affordable housing provision, transport and accessibility, and protection of the natural environment, Core Policy 14 (Wilton Park Opportunity Site) outlines a series of broad guiding principles for redevelopment of the Wilton Park site.

8. Core Policy 14 requires that a development brief is produced for the site by the landowners / developers, in conjunction with the Council, prior to a planning application being submitted.

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