MOD competition for significant infrastructure development near Winchester
The Ministry of Defence is launching a competition for a new multi-million pound development to improve training facilities for the Armed Forces.
The new purpose-built facility will be at Worthy Down, near Winchester, and will bring together onto one site the majority of logistics and personnel administration training for the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force.
The development will cost between £200 million and £300 million and provide training facilities and living accommodation for up to 2,000 students and staff from the Armed Forces. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), the MOD’s property and service provider, is now looking for potential developers to bid to build the new facility. It is hoped the facility should be complete by late 2018, whilst maintaining training at the site throughout the build period. When fully operational, Worthy Down will train more than 1300 personnel a year.
The development of the Worthy Down site will enable the relocation of military units from Princess Royal Barracks Deepcut in Surrey, which is then intended to be closed and sold. It will also see the Defence Maritime Logistics School, currently at HMS Raleigh, in Cornwall, and the RAF Supply and Movements Training Wing, based at RAF Halton, near Aylesbury, relocating to Worthy Down. However, there are no plans to close either HMS Raleigh or RAF Halton.
Major General Dickie Davis, Director General Army Recruiting and Training Division, said: “I welcome this opportunity for Defence. It will provide tri-service modern training and living accommodation and substantially contribute to each individual’s learning experience and quality of life.”
Worthy Down will be the focus for all training by The Royal Logistic Corps and Adjutant General’s Corps with The Royal Logistic Corps Museum also moving to the site.
The bid process is being conducted by DIO and bidders should respond to the forthcoming Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) notice. The outline planning process has started at both Deepcut and Worthy Down with public consultation now in progress.
For further information please contact Tony Moran in the Defence Infrastructure Organisation press office on 0121 311 3879.
Note for editors:
1. It was announced in 2008 that the MOD intended to sell the Princess Royal Barracks
2. 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.
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