by Alex Ross & Joel Down

A DEVELOPER believes an under-threat York barracks would make a perfect fit for new homes.

The Government announced on Monday that Imphal Barracks, in Fulford Road, is to close by 2031 and Strensall’s Queen Elizabeth barracks will shut in five year’s time.

Imphal is home to Signal, Intelligence and Military Police regiments and is based on a 28 hectare site, while Strensall’s base - home to medics - is a huge 634 hectares.

According to standard housing calculations, Ian Hessay, regional managing director at Linden Homes, said more than 650 homes could be built on the Fulford Road base, in York, if a developer opted to buy the land.

He said: “Imphal Barracks is ideal for new housing and would be an excellent housing site if it could be brought forward. It’s so far off you wouldn’t be able to draw any conclusions at this stage.”

Peter Morris, development director at Barratt Developments Yorkshire East, said any plans to develop on the two barracks should be “welcomed”.

He added: “Any new homes that potentially could be developed on the site of the two army barracks would help to contribute towards much needed housing in York, the supply of which is currently severely restricted by delays to the emerging Local Plan. Unless the Local Plan is resolved in the very near future the council run the risk of central government intervention, taking decisions out of the hands of local people.

York Press:

“In the meantime the potential for development on the Ministry of Defence land should be welcomed, albeit these sites will only contribute a small fraction of the overall housing requirement.”

Meanwhile, traders in Fulford have had their say on the Government’s announcement.

Chris Hartley, manager of Croque Monsieur sandwich shop, said “I’ve no doubt that in fifteen years time it’ll have an impact because we see an awful lot of them, they are a valued source of custom for us, without question.”

Chris Sherrington, manager of Fulford Arms, added: "It’s at least 14 years away so I’m sure that something will be done as far as the area around Broadway is concerned. It’ll have more of an impact on businesses around there, where most of the housing for the families of officers is, but someone else is always going to move in.”