THE Ministry of Defence (MOD) has appointed a range of strategic advisors to support the redevelopment of its former defence bases into residential sites.
The move comes as part of the defence estate optimisation (DEO) project, which will see £5.1 billion invested into the build of more modern and sustainable infrastructure – with projects including new homes for military personnel, new medical facilities, and jet training infrastructure.
Three strategic property advisors and three strategic environmental and technical advisors have been appointed by the MOD to support the DEO. The six contracts are divided into three packages partnering real estate advisors Savills UK, Avison Young, and WSP GL Hearn Ltd. With technical consultants Tetra Tech Ltd, Jacobs UK, and Drees and Sommer UK Ltd.
Together, they will provide ‘comprehensive’ advice on how former military sites can be redeveloped for alternative residential and commercial use to support local community needs.
Catherine Davies, head of estates at the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, said,“Working with industry experts helps us to ensure we are finding the right future use for sites which are surplus to military requirements, considering local needs and generating value for the taxpayer. These appointments offer a great opportunity to embrace social value, to create diverse teams working on MOD sites and to positively impact local communities.”
