Delayed £1bn MoD project finally gets approval

The delayed £1bn privately financed Colchester Garrison project has finally been given official approval by Colchester Borough Council.

As part of the approval process, planning officials from the council saw 100s of maps and detailed design proposals for the new Garrison and Urban Village.

The proposals were subject to public consultation including public displays, workshops, and focus groups, as well as consultation with statutory bodies such as English Nature and English Heritage and many local interest groups.

Charles Barrington, project director of RMPA Services, the consortium awarded preferred bidder status for the redevelopment project said: "The approval of our plans for the new Garrison is fantastic news. Seven years of hard work has gone into putting the proposals for the new Garrison together and we're now looking forward to pressing ahead with the next stage of the project."

Contracts can now be finalised and agreed before building work starts early next year. Once started, the building work is expected to be completed within five years.

The development will include several new barracks, training facilities, indoor and outdoor recreation facilities, a regional courts martial centre, education and welfare facilities and a Garrison church.

The project will generate many new jobs and the sale of surplus land released by the new Garrison will allow substantial redevelopment on the 'brownfield' land around Abbey Field and will fund part of the cost of the new Garrison.