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Plans submitted for over 630 accommodation units at Faslane naval base 

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HMS AUDACIOUS ARRIVES AT CLYDE HOME HMS Audacious, the fourth of the Royal Navy’s Astute-class submarines, has arrived at her new home at HM Naval Base Clyde. The new submarine and her 98-strong crew arrived at the Naval Base in Argyll and Bute today (April 7), flying the White Ensign after sailing from BAE Systems in Barrow-in-Furness. Welcoming the vessel to her new home were members of the Submarine Flotilla – SUBFLOT – based at Clyde. “It is with great excitement that we welcome HMS Audacious to the Clyde, joining her three sister submarines,” said Commodore Jim Perks OBE, Head of the Submarine Service. “HMS Audacious represents an ever improving example of the world-leading Astute class submarine. She is right at the cutting-edge of technology, built here in the UK by our own people. She will provide the country with remarkable security at sea to protect our nation’s interests.” HMS Audacious will join sister-submarines HMS Astute, HMS Ambush and HMS Artful which are already in-service and operating from Faslane. A further three boats – named Anson, Agamemnon and Agincourt - are currently under construction at BAE in Barrow. The Astute-class vessels are among the most sophisticated submarines ever constructed for the RoyalNavy.

Ministry of Defence lodges planning application  with Argyll and Bute Council for accommodation units

A decision on the proposal is expected from the council’s planning officers by late November

By Andrew Galloway, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Plans have been revealed for 639 accommodation units for military personnel at Faslane Naval Base on the Gareloch.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has submitted an application for planning permission to Argyll and Bute Council for the accommodation.

The units would be built on a site of former office buildings, previously known as the officers’ ward room, which have been demolished.

A decision on the proposal is expected from the council’s planning officers by late November, and the public can now view the plans and submit feedback.

A design and access statement said: “The proposals also include associated service infrastructure and engineering works that involve ground reprofiling, culvert diversion for the existing watercourse, drainage works, new road and landscaping.

“The proposed buildings follow the MoD standardised designs and are set to four storey in height to balance the residential scale of the development for users and the visual impact of the development externally.

“The ground reprofiled platforms allow landscaped interest at ground level and help break the building rooflines and massing when viewed from afar.

“Demolition, ground reprofiling and security requirements have necessitated removal of existing trees. Informed through the preliminary environmental assessment, landscape design will seek to mitigate this loss and provide an element of biodiversity net gain where practicable.”

A planning statement by agents Zander Planning Ltd, also submitted as part of the application, added: “The proposed development involves developing the site extending to 1.8ha for the erection of single living accommodation (SLA) units to accommodate 639 military personnel and associated access and engineering/infrastructure works to replace the previous SLA units on the site.

“The previous SLA units were not fit for purpose and were [un]inhabitable given their age, condition and lack of facilities (no hot water or heating). The buildings have now been demolished.

“Of the circa 600 beds being constructed approximately half will be used by persons already on the base that have been temporarily rehoused within the base as part of the demolition works.

“The circa 300 bed spaces that are in addition to the bed spaces previously on site are for trainees that will be based at Faslane to undergo training and learning.

“The proposed development seeks to redevelop the site to enhance the quality of the interior space to occupants by providing improved living standards through better daylighting and space standards.”

To view the plans and submit comments, visit the council’s planning portal at argyll-bute.gov.uk and use the reference number 24/01284/PP.

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