The Defence Infrastructure Organisation has appointed Urban & Civic as development manager for the 716-acre former RAF base at Waterbeach Barracks in Cambridgeshire.
The historic barracks have the potential to be redeveloped into more than 6,500 homes, together with commercial and community space.
Once developed, the entire scheme could be valued at in excess of £2.2bn, assuming a £350,000 average sales price on the homes.
U&C will now work with the DIO to progress planning and manage the development. It was selected following a competitive tender issued by the DIO in January.
The procurement process attracted a wide range of bids from some of Britain’s biggest developers. U&C was shortlisted against a joint venture between Taylor Wimpey and the Dorchester Group in the final round.
The development management arrangement will see U&C fund and construct the necessary post-planning infrastructure, manage the disposal of market housing plots to house builders and build out around 35% of the homes on its own account.
U&C plans to develop its share of the homes for private rent, a move it hopes will speed up absorption at the site and which emulates its development at Stratford.
The barracks lies within the administrative area of the South Cambridgeshire district council, which is in the process of preparing a new Local Plan for 2011-2031.
The proposed local plan allocates the barracks as a new settlement.
Fletcher Priest carried out the initial master planning for the scheme.
Urban & Civic chairman Nigel Hugill said: “Waterbeach represents properly joined-up national thinking. This involves public brownfield land being released by a major government ministry for value-enhancing development that anticipates and facilitates change in one of the most innovative and creative locations in the UK, whilst returning substantial proceeds to the taxpayer in the process.”
Wendy Ivess Mash, DIO head of acquisition and disposals, said: “DIO is very pleased to announce the selection of Urban & Civic as our development manager at Waterbeach Barracks.”
Barney Hillsdon, director at GVA, added: “DIO is leading the way in the release of public sector land for housing. The competitive dialogue process has ensured DIO has appointed a development manager of the highest quality.”
GVA advised the DIO on the process.
jack.sidders@estatesgazette.com
