February 14, 2019 10.15 am This story is over 61 months old

Grantham barracks to close for new homes development

Over 10,000 homes will be developed across seven sites
Prince William of Gloucester Barracks in Grantham. Photo: Google Street View

A new partnership has been announced which has the potential to deliver over 10,000 homes across seven sites including the Prince William of Gloucester Barracks in Grantham.

The announcement by Homes England and the Defence Infrastructure Organisation will see the development of land being released by the MoD.

The land will remain in the ownership of MoD throughout the project whilst Homes England prepares the site for development through planning and investment with governance from DIO.

The first seven sites under the new partnering agreement are: Claro & Deverell Barracks in Ripon, North Yorkshire; RAF Henlow in Bedfordshire; MOD Site 4 in Stafford; MDPGA Wethersfield in Braintree, Essex; Swynnerton Training Camp in Stone, Staffordshire; Prince William of Gloucester Barracks in Grantham, Lincolnshire; Chetwynd Barracks in Chilwell, Nottinghamshire.

Grantham barracks closure

In November 2016 the MOD announced it would close the Prince William of Gloucester Barracks in 2020.

An MOD spokesperson told Lincolnshire Reporter: “It remains the MOD’s intention to dispose of Prince William of Gloucester Barracks, as set out in the A Better Defence Estate Announcement of 2016. An update to Parliament is expected in the coming weeks.”

New partnership

Chief Executive of Homes England Nick Walkley and CEO of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation Graham Dalton have sealed the partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding.

Nick said: “This partnership provides another great opportunity to intervene in the market – and the sites will contribute towards the 300,000 homes needed each year to meet the growing demand. We are pleased to be using our skills and resource to work closely with DIO on the delivery of these brownfield sites.

“Through the Memorandum of Understanding we will be able to work with local authorities and communities to progress schemes faster and more efficiently providing homes where they are needed.”

Graham added: “DIO and Homes England have agreed to work together to develop sites for housing in an arrangement that will maximise value for the public purse.

“We are pleased to be entering into this partnership with Homes England for the benefit of local communities. The combined expertise will ensure sites no longer needed for Defence can be developed into much needed housing while delivering value for money.”