As part of its Defence Estate Optimisation programme, and the “Better Defence Estate” strategy, the MoD announced in November 2016 that both of the barracks sites in Ripon, Claro Barracks and Deverell Barracks, will be vacated and used for development.

Disposal of Deverell Barracks is expected to commence in 2021, and disposal of Claro Barracks is expected to commence in 2023. Also included in the development will be Laver Banks.

Homes England and the Defence Infrastructure Organisation announced a partnership to manage the vacation of the site in February 2019. Homes England’s vision for the site is that Clotherholme Urban Village will become a new neighbourhood within Ripon, integrated within the landscape and city, and providing a connected and well-designed addition to the city. It is aimed that the site will produce 1,300 high quality new homes for Ripon, alongside 2 hectares of employment land and a variety of community services, as the land becomes available.

The Outline Planning Application is expected to be submitted to the planning authority, Harrogate Borough Council, before the end of the year. This will seek to secure the principle of the development, i.e. the number of homes and the amount of other associated uses including the amount of open space. It is expected that planning permission for the development will be in place by summer 2020. Construction is not expected to begin until the sites have been fully decommissioned by the MoD.

5 public engagement events were held over the summer, attended by over 400 people, followed up by 2 further events in early October to respond to initial feedback. A series of engagement events have also been held with stakeholder groups, such as Ripon City Council, Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council in their capacity as Highways Authority.

A Strategic Oversight Board has been established to manage the strategic vision for the site, with representatives of both of the Local Enterprise Partnerships, Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council contributing to shaping the project.

Julian Smith met with Homes England and the DIO in October 2019 to discuss the plans for the site, and to provide feedback on the representations he has received from constituents. Julian is keen to ensure that this development works well for the City of Ripon, and that the plan takes into account the needs of Ripon’s existing residents through the planning process.

Further meetings held in 2020 so far include those held in April and on 16th and 29th June with Homes England, North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council, and the Defence Infrastructure Organisation to discuss updates on the development of Ripon Barracks site, and receive feedback on ongoing engagement sessions.

For more information on the details of the proposals as they emerge, and to see the information that was presented as part of the engagement events, please visit http://riponbarracks.hyas.co.uk/.