Wavensmere Homes submits £130m replan proposal

Published by

Tom Kilkelly

CGI of Barrelman's Point

Wavensmere Homes and Galliard Homes have submitted a planning application to Babergh District Council to replan the remaining phases of the Barrelman’s Point development in Suffolk.

The £130 million project is centred around the restoration and redevelopment of the former HMS Ganges Royal Naval Training Establishment, which has been out of commission and derelict for almost half a century.

This new project's plans preserve and reanimate three listed structures, two scheduled ancient monuments, and two further non-designated heritage assets. The original extant planning application for the site was approved in 2015, followed by a subsequent approval in 2020 for amendments to the phase one design.

The first of 81 homes within phase one of the coastal development are nearing completion, comprising two, three, four and five-bedroom houses.

Visit Hampshire Biz News for bright, upbeat and positive business news from the county

Over 146,000 Navy recruits would have made use of the Barrelman's Point facility in its heyday but its closure in 1976 has left the site defunct.

The houses that will make up the development have been designed, according to Wavensmere and Galliard, to complement the sites ''vast open spaces''. Future residents will also have access to a future amenity provisions, which will also be made accessible to original Shotley Residents.

James Dickens, Managing Director at Wavensmere Homes, said: “We are thrilled to have completed our replan of the 58-acre former HMS Ganges site, with our proposals now lodged with Babergh District Council.

“Key aspects of our revised proposals include the preservation of the Grade II listed former military swimming pool, which we wish to transform into an indoor racquets centre for community use.

''A standalone care village with 75 apartments across five two-storey buildings will best respond to the sector requirements for independent living facilities.

''We are immensely proud to be reanimating this atmospheric site and can now welcome prospective purchasers to the site so they can see how the development is taking shape and choose their preferred home design and plot.”

Tom Kilkelly

Tom Kilkelly started working as a freelance journalist for The Business Magazine following his graduation from UCL in 2022. During his studies Tom became very interested in the works of Irish authors including Samuel Beckett and Flann O'Brien (Brian O'Nolan). His current role as a freelance business reporter is his first exposure to the world of business journalism. Working at TBM has given Tom the chance to really get to grips with the goings-on in the business hive that is the South East.