Former military sites present a unique combination of opportunity and complexity. Large land holdings, distinctive built heritage, significant contamination challenges and often sensitive relationships with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation and Ministry of Defence need to be understood from the outset. JTP has specialist experience in this sector, developing masterplans that understand the historic character of the site, design for the phased release of operational land, and create new communities that are rooted in the identity and history of the place.

Military land disposal involves a complex journey from initial feasibility through to delivery. JTP understands the full lifecycle of military land disposal – from early-stage feasibility and engagement with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation and Ministry of Defence through to detailed planning applications and delivery frameworks for master developers and housebuilders. Our approach generates higher land value through design quality and placemaking, creating masterplans that are attractive to both residential and commercial developers and that are supported by local planning authorities.

Contamination is one of the most significant constraints on former airfield and military sites. Fuel storage, ordnance and industrial processes all present complex remediation challenges that must be understood early to protect viability and programme.

JTP works closely with specialist environmental and geotechnical consultants from the outset. Contamination is properly assessed and factored into our masterplanning before it can impact deliverability. Existing heritage buildings, runway structures and mature landscape features contribute to the distinctive identity of these sites. JTP actively utilises these assets to create a strong sense of place. We reduce remediation costs by retaining key assets to give new communities a unique character that creates a sense of place.

Former military and airfield sites present a distinct placemaking challenge. They are often flat, featureless and lack the urban grain, landscape character and public realm of established communities. JTP specialises in creating compelling placemaking narratives that draw on the unique history and character of each site. We use existing buildings, landscape features and the distinctive layout of former military complexes as the foundation for a new sense of place. This approach creates a distinctive identity that adds value and differentiates the new place.

At Alconbury Weald, Huntingdon, JTP’s extensive analysis and placemaking strategy created a welcoming gateway from the outset. Our designs set the first new homes in an informal and natural landscape with meandering streets to address transition in scale from ‘big’ highways infrastructure to a human-scale neighbourhood.

JTP has a proven track record on former military and airfield sites across the UK. We bring specialist knowledge of the process with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation and Ministry of Defence. Supported by our expertise in heritage reuse and placemaking principles, our designs bring a sense of enclosure and intimacy to featureless, windswept sites. Our masterplanning capability and understanding of large-scale, phased delivery ensures our designs create value at every stage. This is demonstrated through award-winning exemplars including Alconbury Weald, Huntingdon, Waterbeach New Town in Cambridgeshire, and Mindenhurst, Deepcut where we have transformed former airfields into well-connected communities. Our experience gives clients the confidence that their project will achieve planning permission, attract investment and create a valuable community.