Homes England acquires Ripon Barracks for 1,300-home development

Homes England has acquired the Ripon Barracks military site from the Ministry of Defence as part of a government initiative to unlock surplus public land for housing development. The site, scheduled to close in 2026, will be transformed into 1,300 new homes alongside green spaces, a primary school, community centre, and retail area to foster a vibrant new community. The phased development will start with 150 homes at Deverell Barracks, with further construction at Claro Barracks, Laver Banks, and the former Engineering Park following the Royal Engineers' relocation. The project integrates the site’s military heritage through thoughtful design and preservation of historical elements such as the parade ground and footpath network. This development aligns with the MoD’s Defence Estate Optimisation strategy, which releases unneeded military land for public benefit. Government officials emphasize this collaboration as a key step toward addressing housing shortages while honoring the site's historical significance.