Sale of Defence land in Kent moves a step closer
Plans by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) to sell off surplus Defence land inKentto make room for new homes have moved a step closer.
Contracts have been exchanged with Taylor Wimpey for the sale of land at Shorncliffe Garrison, Folkestone, which has the potential for 1,200 new homes.
DIO appointed agents GVA to market the land and completion of the sale will be in four phases which commence next year.
The land sale is part of a larger DIO Project to re-configure the Garrison onto a smaller, more secure site, releasing obsolete areas for civilian housing development and using money raised to provide new, modern Defence facilities on the retained areas.
Replacement facilities for the Army are being built as part of a rolling programme of improvements at Shorncliffe and nearby Lydd Camp. These include more than 100 ensuite rooms for single service people, modern office space for military and civilian staff, plus storage and training accommodation.
DIO principal estate surveyor Charlotte Cordy-Redden said:
“This is another step forward in our plans to rationalise Shorncliffe Garrison to the right size and right condition.
Not only are we providing better facilities for our Armed Forces but by releasing land which is no longer needed by Defence we are able to help provide families in Kent with much-needed new homes.”
Steve Taylor, Director in GVA’s Land and Development team said:
“This site will deliver much-needed housing numbers in the Shepway District Council area and is a clear demonstration of commitment from the MOD to deliver surplus land to the market.”
Taylor Wimpey are keen to submit a Planning Application as soon as possible and, subject to planning permission being received, hope to start on site before the end of 2015”
Joanna Webb, Senior Land and Planning Manager for Taylor Wimpey, said:
“We are delighted to have exchanged contracts with DIO for the Shorncliffe Garrison development site. We have conducted extensive public consultation with the local community in the preparation of our proposals over the past few months and we are currently finalising a planning application for submission to Shepway District Council in April.”
As part of the Army 2020 restructure, HQ 2 (South East) Brigade is merging with HQ 145 (South) Brigade this year to form a new Headquarters in Aldershot, known as 11 Infantry Brigade. However, there are currently no other firm plans to change the Army’s use of Shorncliffe.
ENDS
Further information:
Press enquiries to Tony Moran, Communications Manager
0121 311 3879 or email tony.moran572@mod.uk
DIO website: www.gov.uk/dio
Twitter: @mod_dio
Read DIO’s blog: https://insidedio.blog.gov.uk/
Note for Editors
1) The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), which is part of the MOD, plays a vital role in supporting our Armed Forces by building, maintaining and servicing what the men and women who serve our country need to live, work, train and deploy on 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 we achieve our environmental goals.
3) Overlooking the English Channel, Shorncliffe Garrison has a proud history dating back to Napoleonic times and a strong association with the citizens of Folkestone and East Kent. As a core military site it has a long term future in particular as the regimental home of the Royal Gurkha Rifles and also as Britain’s largest training base for preparing soldiers prior to operational deployments.
4) The Shorncliffe Rationalisation Project has been running since 2009. DIO experts have looked at how to make the Garrison more sustainable by reducing its footprint, cut running costs and provide improved living and working conditions for servicemen and civilians on a cost-neutral basis.
5) Army 2020 described how the Army would be comprised of Reaction Forces, Adaptable Forces and Force Troops and would continue to be based across the United Kingdom. It specified that there would be Regional Points of Command (RPoCs) whose responsibilities would revolve around engagement with UK society and UK Homeland Resilience as well as acting as the ‘home’, non-deployable command for an area. These RPoCs are based on the already existing regional brigade headquarters, with some changes.
6) Taylor Wimpey plc is a UK-focused residential developer which also has operations in Spain. Their vision is to become the UK’s leading residential developer for creating value and delivering quality. For more information about Taylor Wimpey please visit about.taylorwimpey.co.uk .
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