MOD sells off sites in Bath
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has sold off three of its sites in Bath.
The Foxhill, Warminster Road and Ensleigh sites were put up for sale after becoming surplus to Defence requirements.
DIO is the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) property and services provider and responsible for managing the military estate in the UK and overseas.
Martin Lloyd, DIO Head of Disposals South, said:
“DIO’s priority is to support our Armed Forces as they prepare for operations by providing the facilities our military personnel need. We continually examine ways of improving military capability and value for money for the taxpayer..As part of this approach, we keep the size and location of bases under constant review and DIO is committed to ensuring that the military estate is no larger than necessary to meet operational needs.”
The Foxhill site has been purchased by Curo, one of the largest social landlords in the West of England.
Curo has more than 12,000 homes across the Bath and Bristol area with nearly 1,500 new houses due to be completed by 2016. The organisation already owns a large number of properties in the Foxhill neighbourhood adjacent to the Foxhill MOD site.
Curo Chief Executive Victor da Cunha said:
“We are delighted to have acquired the former MOD site at Foxhill. This venture gives us a real opportunity to create an exciting, sustainable development, and to work with the local community to provide wider benefits for the Foxhill neighbourhood. Taking a central role in large scale developments like this now and in the future will allow Curo to continue to do more of what it’s here to do; provide high quality affordable homes.”
Warminster Road has been purchased by Square Bay in a joint venture between Square Bay and Bristol-based Firmstone Developments Ltd. Square Bay specialises in residential and mixed use development and Firmstone Developments is a leading south-west developer.
Markham Hanson, of Square Bay, said:
“Redeveloping this site will allow Bath to have the opportunity to provide much needed family housing near to the city centre and improve what is currently a brownfield site.”
Francis Firmstone of Firmstone Developments said:
“It is fantastic news that our partnership has acquired the former MOD site at Warminster Road, The site is in a fabulous location in Bath and we are thrilled about an opportunity to create an inspiring and exciting addition to the City’s skyline.”
Square Bay and Firmstone Developments have worked together on other projects previously and are looking forward to regenerating MOD Warminster Road, Bath.
Ensleigh has been purchased by a subsidiary of IM Properties Plc, one of the UK’s largest privately-owned property companies with more than £550 million of property assets in the UK, mainland Europe and the USA.
IM Properties Plc plans to remediate and redevelop the site for approximately 250 units.
Tim Woolridge, Managing Director of IM Properties Plc said:
“This is an exciting acquisition for IM Properties and underlines our firm commitment to expand our residential development activities. The site will be transformed into an extremely desirable residential environment in one of the best residential areas of Lansdown and will be consistent with the quality IM Properties are renowned for across our development portfolio.”
Ends
Notes to Editors
- The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) is part of the 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.
- 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.
Further information:
Press enquiries to Emma Sloper, Communications Officer 0121 311 2418
or email emma.sloper100@mod.uk