Barratt buys former MoD lab site in Kent for £246m resi scheme
Housebuilder Barratt Developments has acquired a former Ministry of Defence site in Kent with plans to build 635 homes.
The developer purchased the 185-acre Fort Halstead site in Sevenoaks from Merseyside Pension Fund for an undisclosed sum. There are about 276 buildings on site, which previously served as the defence, science and tech labs, workshops and offices for Dstl and QinetiQ.
In December last year, MPF received planning permission from Sevenoaks District Council to demolish the buildings and bring forward 635 houses. The planning permission also includes a village centre which will host facilities such as shops and community buildings.
Housebuilder Barratt Developments has acquired a former Ministry of Defence site in Kent with plans to build 635 homes.
The developer purchased the 185-acre Fort Halstead site in Sevenoaks from Merseyside Pension Fund for an undisclosed sum. There are about 276 buildings on site, which previously served as the defence, science and tech labs, workshops and offices for Dstl and QinetiQ.
In December last year, MPF received planning permission from Sevenoaks District Council to demolish the buildings and bring forward 635 houses. The planning permission also includes a village centre which will host facilities such as shops and community buildings.
The new community will also benefit from an innovation hub offering space to businesses and a community bus service. The listed buildings on site will be refurbished, including the 19th century fort area and its bunkers, which is proposed to be retained and converted into a historic interpretation centre.
Barratt will proceed with the approved development and plans deliver homes in phases over the next nine years. According to planning documents, the total value is estimated at £246m.
William Walsh, managing director at Barratt Homes Kent, said: “Our plans for transforming the site represent more than delivering hundreds of new and affordable homes – it will see Barratt David Wilson reinvigorate the past while creating a forward-looking, sustainable development for the future, increasing local employment opportunities.”
A spokesperson for Merseyside Pension Fund said: “The pension fund had the opportunity to purchase the site at Fort Halstead and bring forward the plans to develop a mix of quality homes, community buildings and amenities in this sought-after area which over the years has seen a shortage of supply. We are pleased Barratt David Wilson Homes will be able to deliver to our expectations.”
Charles Monk, director for UK residential land at CBRE, which advised the fund on the deal and planning, added: “This transaction highlights the positive sentiment and resilience of the residential land market, with a continued strong appetite for high-quality housing sites, even in more challenging market conditions.”
Images © JTP
