Archived decisions

Contact: Stephen Blyth, ext 6777 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report sets out progress on proposals by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the redevelopment of Aldershot Military Town, known as Project Connaught.

2. Background

2.1 In 1998 the Government published its Strategic Defence Review (SDR), a wide-ranging review of Britain's defence policy that reassessed this country's security interests and defence needs in the post cold war era. The SDR introduced a number of changes to the way the MoD operates across the built and training estate, with the aim of providing the direction to modernise the Armed Forces to met the challenges of the 21^st century. This included changes affecting the military units located at Aldershot and the Salisbury Plain Area sites, collectively known as Project Allenby/ Connaught. This report deals only with the proposals affecting Aldershot Military Town (Project Connaught).

2.2 The main aims of Project Connaught are to:

(i) accommodate the relocation of units recommended by the SDR (the intention is to maintain a similar number of service personnel as at present);

(ii) improve and modernise the existing built estate. An important aim is to improve the living and working environment, in particular the need to improve single living accommodation to the latest standards; and

(iii) make more efficient and sustainable use of the existing built estate. This will result in land being declared surplus to military requirements (alienated land).

2.3 In response to Project Connaught, Rushmoor Borough Council prepared Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) for the military town which, following extensive public consultation, was adopted by the Borough Council as SPG to the Local Plan in July 2002. The SPG sets out a series of development principles and policies against which proposals for development will be assessed. Hampshire County Council was closely involved in the preparation of the SPG, in particular advising the Borough Council on developer contributions sought by the County Council as part of the development to help fund the provision of essential public services and facilities, such as school and social service buildings.

3. The Retained Areas

3.1 The works within the areas to be retained by the MoD for military use are to be implemented through a Public Private Partnership. In July this year the MoD announced that Aspire Defence Limited was its provisional preferred bidder.

3.2 In August Aspire Defence Limited submitted to the Borough Council an outline planning application (accompanied by an Environmental Statement and Transport Assessment). The planning application site covers some 215 hectares (the entire military town covers approximately 500 hectares). It is important to note that the application deals only with the areas to be retained for military use and does not relate to the land to be declared surplus to the military's requirements (the alienated land). Briefly, the main elements of the proposals are as follows:

(i) two major units will be accommodated (self contained regimental units) on Lille, and New Mons. The accommodation will be upgraded, ensuring each soldier has an individual room with en-suite facilities;

(ii) New Normandy will be expanded and modified for use by the medical units;

(iii) a new soldiers' village is to be developed to cater for the Junior Ranks on St Omer Barracks site. Improved linkages will be created between this area and the sport and fitness area via a new cycle/foot bridge across the Basingstoke Canal;

(iv) a new Garrison Theatre will be provided through the conversion of the Aldershot Military Swimming Pool (a Grade II Listed Building);

(v) an office complex incorporating a centre of learning and administration at St Omer;

(vi) a new purpose designed office and technical accommodation on the Hammersley Barracks site; and

(vii) new Provost Company offices, technical accommodation and a new joint MoD and military police station on Provost Barracks.

The attached plans illustrate the proposed disposition of uses and facilities.

3.3 The Ministry of Defence's timetable requires financial closure by December this year. Accordingly, it is looking to have received planning permission by the end of the year. Development will be phased over a seven year period. It is proposed that construction will begin, subject to the grant of planning permission, in April 2004 and completion is anticipated around January 2011.

4. The Alienated Land

4.1 The SPG indicates that land suitable for development and not required for MoD purposes should principally be developed for residential use. The development should provide for a mix of different types and sizes of dwellings. The Borough Council will expect at least 35-40% of new dwellings to be affordable homes.

4.2 Now that the areas surplus to military use are known, it is possible to commence work on master planning of these areas. This will be a collaborative exercise involving the MoD and its consultants, Rushmoor Borough Council, Hampshire County Council, English Partnerships (the national regeneration agency, a key delivery agency responsible for delivering the Government's new Sustainable Communities agenda) and other agencies. An important element of the master planning will be the Enquiry by Design (EbD) process. This involves bringing together public agencies, development partners, local groups, and other stakeholders led by independent designers/facilitators to prepare illustrative development options. This exercise is anticipated to take place late November/early December this year. Public consultation will also be an important part of the master planning exercise.

4.3 The proposed timetable to deliver development on both the retained and alienated land is challenging; however, Hampshire County Council will continue to work closely with Rushmoor Borough Council to ensure that the authorities' aspirations for Aldershot are met and that the development of the military town contributes to the regeneration of Aldershot town centre and North Camp district centre.

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

8203/SB