Brompton Barracks in Chatham provides Professional, Technical and Artisan training for soldiers to complement Combat Engineer training offered at Minley in Hampshire. The military presence in Chatham over the centuries has been pivotal to the heritage of the town – and the barracks are a legacy to the history of the area. The site contains 18th century fortifications, listed buildings and a conservation area with distinct architectural character.
Holdfast will respect this heritage by adapting existing internal and external spaces to improve the training environment. Some of the existing buildings are nearing the end of their useful life and will be replaced in order to meet the needs of the RSME and improve efficiency. Training will be rationalised onto a smaller estate, enabling surplus land to be sold for private development.
Design proposals for Chatham are currently under review by the MOD with a view to submitting planning applications in the late Autumn of 2007. The description of plans for Chatham is therefore subject to change as a result of the process of consultation between Holdfast, MOD, Medway Council and other statutory authorities.
Improvements to accommodation at Chatham will include:
- Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess, and Junior Ranks Mess to be housed within a new combined Mess building
- Modern en-suite accommodation in two new buildings for Junior Ranks trainees
- New Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO) accommodation
- Refurbishment of existing accommodation for SNCOs
- A new Community Centre in Sally Port Road
- A new workshop at Upper Upnor to replace some of the facilities currently provided at Lower Upnor
- Training facilities at Wainscott to replace those moved off Lodge Hill.
