The first of eight major surplus public sector sites identified in the recent Housing Green paper, to be brought forward in support of housing growth targets was named today as the former Connaught Barracks in Dover. The site has been acquired by English Partnerships to deliver around 500 homes in the town.

At least 60% of the Government’s new homes targets of three million by 2020 will be built on brownfield sites and surplus public sector land such as Connaught. Located to the north of Dover town centre and adjacent to Dover Castle, Connaught Barracks covers an area of 56 hectares, of which 12.5 ha is suitable for the development of new homes. The remaining land includes large areas of open space and an English Heritage Scheduled Ancient Monument consisting of Fort Burgoyne and the Eastern and Western Caponiers.

David Edwards, English Partnerships’ director for Southern England, said, “Our acquisition of Connaught Barracks presents a golden opportunity to develop a sustainable community and demonstrate to the rest of the country just how much can be achieved with surplus public sector land.

“Our approach at Connaught is evidence of the expertise English Partnerships will bring to the Homes and Communities Agency. This is the first step along a road leading to three million new homes across England by 2020.”