Swanton Morley Council backs Robertson Barracks development

Swanton Morley Parish Council has described this as its "preferred option" for Robertson Barracks, an army base which is set to cease operating by the end of the decade.

The site, which is currently home to 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards, has been earmarked for development as part of Breckland Council's local plan.

The proposals would see the 165-hectare military base turned into a self-sustaining neighbourhood of 2,000 homes. 

Roger Atterwill, chairman of Swanton Morley Parish Council, said: "We are aware that this brownfield site could be utilised by the government for prison or immigration purposes but we feel that it has a lot of potential for both housing and employment growth.

"This would be our preferred option. There are many existing technical buildings which could be repurposed to create business premises and we understand the potential the site has to create jobs for local people.

"We will continue to work constructively with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation and Breckland Council in the months and years ahead."

King Charles, then the Prince of Wales, visits the 1st The Queen's Dragoon's Guards at Robertson Barracks (Image: Ian Burt)

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Mr Atterwill also acknowledged "justifiable concerns" among local people due to the size of the proposals, but urged them to consider potential benefits to the area. 

"This could be an opportunity to bring considerable local investment, employment and improvements to services, such as buses and healthcare," he added. 

The development would see the community of Swanton Morley - a small village near Dereham with a population of around 2,200 - more than double in size. 

It forms part of Breckland Council's wider plans to build thousands of new homes across the district, including sites in Attleborough, Swaffham and Thetford.