Prince William of Gloucester Barracks

Grantham

The Future of Prince William of Gloucester

The barracks will close in 2028 and will be prepared for redevelopment following closure.

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has therefore been engaging with South Kesteven District Council to ensure that any potential development that comes forward in the future is carefully planned and supports their aspirations for development in the area.

Planning background

The Council’s Local Plan sets out the planning policies for South Kesteven up to 2036, including their vision and objectives for future development, including allocating sites for different types of development, such as housing and employment.

In 2020, the Prince William of Gloucester barracks site was allocated in the South Kesteven District Council Local Plan for up to 4,000 new homes. This figure is likely to be reduced to approximately 3,000 new homes.

We would also collaborate with the owners of the Spitalgate Heath Garden Village site, which sits on the opposite side of the A52, to ensure that together the two sites would deliver the new growth needed.

The Opportunity

The site is allocated in the South Kesteven District Plan Local Plan. This recognises the suitability of the barracks, as a substantial brownfield site in the district, to deliver new development. This could include new homes, employment, recreational or community uses.

The DIO will explore the scale of development and possible future uses next year in collaboration with the council, key stakeholders and the community a part of a masterplan for the site.

Our ambition

Our ambition is to create a sustainable, vibrant and viable new neighbourhood, which celebrates the military history of the site and distinctive heritage of the area, to deliver new homes and other uses, including a new local centre, schools and employment space, centred around woodlands, parks and a community hub.

Indicative timeline

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the barracks closing?

The MOD is investing £5.1bn in a more modern and sustainable estate for the military. As part of this, Prince William of Gloucester Barracks has been identified as surplus to Defence requirements and will be sold for redevelopment.

When will the army leave the site?

The site vacation date is 2028. The DIO is exploring opportunities to release parts of the site for new homes ahead of this date.

What will happen to the site when the army leaves?

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) is committed to working with South Kesteven District Council (SKDC) and the local community to release the barracks for meaningful future use when the army leaves, by exploring and consulting on alternative development uses.

As part of this, the DIO is seeking to bring forward a masterplan for the barracks, which is allocated in SKDC’s Local Plan for 4,000 new homes.

What are the timeframes/next steps?

Prince William of Gloucester Barracks is due to close in 2028 and will be sold for redevelopment. It is allocated in SKDC Local Plan. The DIO would like to work with the local community on its future redevelopment and will consult the community on an indicative masterplan for the site next year, to show how it could be redeveloped in the future and on potential uses.

Why has the site been allocated in the Local Plan and what has it been allocated to deliver?

The barracks is a large previously developed site, which will become vacant over the next four years. It is important that an alternative future use is found for the site. The site has the potential to create a sustainable community delivering new homes and employment uses, as well as public green space.

The DIO would like to bring the site forward in a considered way as part of the Local Plan.

How many homes has the site been allocated for in the Local Plan?

The barracks allocation is for 4,000 new homes, which will be delivered in stages over the lifecycle of the Local Plan and beyond.

What is your vision for the site?

Our vision is to see this previously developed site successfully regenerated once it is vacated and sold by the military.

It has the potential to provide vital new housing, employment uses and community amenities, using the mature landscape features and local heritage as a central theme for design, and reusing existing buildings and roads to create a new community.

How will you plan any future development ideas and make sure the community has a say?

The DIO wish to engage with the local community and key stakeholders regarding the future of the site, including highways, community facilities and design.

We anticipate holding stakeholder workshops and consultation events to involve local stakeholders and the surrounding villages. There will be opportunities for the community to provide their feedback on the plans as they evolve.

How will you recognise the military heritage of the site?

The military heritage of the site is hugely important and will be commemorated in any future development. We will look to retain and re-use some of the heritage and listed buildings. We will also work with the community to understand their ideas for celebrating the history of the site as part of our consultation.