The project on the Daedalus Village site received unanimous support from Gosport Borough Council's Regulatory Board.
Wates Residential was chosen by Homes England the Government's housing delivery agency in 2018 to act as its delivery partner for the first phase of development at Daedalus Village. In May 2018 Gosport Borough Council granted approval for 200 new homes to be built across two sites. The first phase of 'shared ownership' homes were all reserved within the first week of launching and over 50 per cent of the private homes are now either reserved or home to a new family, with the scheme due to complete in Spring 2021.
The developer will now invest in the delivery of the second phase of development at Daedalus Village, where 20 high quality homes will be delivered with local people in mind. The project offers an opportunity to restore two dilapidated and disused military buildings on the site since which have stood vacant since military activity at the base ceased in 1996.
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Wykeham Hall, which once housed married officers and served as the headquarters for Coastal Command and Frobisher Block, which was previously an officers’ mess and sleeping quarters, will be rejuvenated and brought back into use to provide 21st Century living accommodation. The restored buildings will house 14 new apartments, with a further six townhouses also to be added to the site. Construction is expected to start later this year.
In recognition of the area's unique roots, the approved proposals are designed to preserve the historic character of the area and the military buildings on site. This will include retaining and restoring the oldest and most historically valuable architectural details of each building such as sash windows, original brickwork and external detailing. More modern additions to the buildings will also be removed and replaced with more sympathetic, traditional design features.
The development will also include the addition of new green spaces and landscaping to enhance the buildings and provide connectivity with the existing residential surroundings of Daedalus Village. An additional 34 car parking spaces will also be added to cater for new residents.
