Robertson Barracks

Dereham, Norfolk

As part of a wider £5.1bn investment programme to deliver a modern and sustainable estate for the military to live and train on, Robertson Barracks has been identified as surplus to military requirements and is expected to close in 2031. This provides a potential opportunity to create an integrated, new, rural community that will continue to be part of Norfolk life when the army leaves.

To find out more about the future of Robertson Barracks, click here.

About Robertson Barracks

Robertson Barracks was first established as a military base during the Second World War and has been home to the 1st of the Queen’s Dragoon Guards (nicknamed The Welsh Cavalry) since 2015.

The 165 hectare site is located north of Dereham in the heart of the Norfolk countryside, with the villages of Swanton Morley and Hoe to the south of the site and Worthing to the north.

The history of the barracks

Aerial photo of the barracks site (red line is for illustrative purposes only).

The barracks today

There are three distinct areas of the site – the former airfield, the residential site, and the technical site. Robertson Barracks is a community, together, these areas usually have approximately 400 military and civilian personnel using them.

The former airfield, utilised by the Army since the mid-1990s as a backdoor training area, has areas of dense woodland at its boundary planted and developed to support military training.

The residential site is where the Service Family Accommodation is located.

The technical site houses operational buildings, including the hangars and garaging, messes and singleton accommodation, medical buildings, recreational and sports facilities and commercial support buildings.

There are also a number of listed buildings and monuments, including three Picket Hamilton Forts and a Grade II Listed Control Tower.

The team

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) is the estate expert for defence, supporting the armed forces to enable military capability by planning, building, maintaining, and servicing infrastructure. The DIO is part of the Ministry of Defence (MOD).

The DIO has appointed a professional team of consultants to look at the opportunity and to undertake detailed feasibility studies on future options for Robertson Barracks.

Planning and Property Consultants responsible for site promotion, local plan engagement with Breckland District Council, and preparing any future planning application once the site is available for development.

Masterplanner and Architect responsible for working with the community to create a masterplan for the site.

Sustainability and Transport Consultants responsible for undertaking all feasibility studies to support any future plans.

Community Engagement Consultants responsible for engaging with the local community and consultation on future options for the site.

What’s on the site?

The images below show a selection of the buildings, facilities and features on the site. Click the images to open them full-screen.

Control tower

Existing Cost Cutter

Vehicle garages

Single Living Accommodation block

Officers’ Mess

Large hangar

Communications Tower

Existing road network

Sports field

Headquarters building

Chapel

Avenue of mature trees

The future of the barracks

Breckland District Council is working with the DIO to consider future uses for the site, so that it continues to contribute positively to the surrounding towns and villages, and wider Norfolk area.

A feasibility assessment is being carried out to explore potential opportunities and uses which could be suitable for the site. The DIO will continue to talk to Breckland District Council, the town and parish councils, and local communities around the site about the timeframe for closure and any future plans.

In the meantime, if you have a question for us or would like to provide us with any comments, please contact Cascade Communications, our community engagement consultant on:

Email: consultation@cascadecommunications.co.uk

Phone: 0207 871 3565

If you would like to contact the Ministry of Defence directly, please e-mail dio-deopublicconsultation@mod.gov.uk