Inland Homes: Delving Into The Transformational £600m Cavalry Barracks Scheme

Inland Homes is an award winning specialist house builder and brownfield developer, dedicated to achieving excellence in sustainability and design. One of their flagship schemes is the £600m Cavalry Barracks project in Hounslow. We’ve been discussing the scheme with Inland Homes – from their retention of historical assets to affordable housing and sustainability…

Q: You’re behind the £600m Cavalry Barracks scheme in Hounslow, how will that scheme transform the borough and help achieve housing targets?

When the Ministry of Defence announced it would be moving out of the Cavalry Barracks, the London Borough of Hounslow saw the fantastic opportunity it presented. It’s worth mentioning that this is our fifth time of working on an MoD site. [emaillocker id=”71749″]

Inland Homes has been working on the site for around a year now, and is fully behind the vision to create a truly unique development. It’s a landmark site for the Borough and we’re determined to make the project a huge success. The Cavalry Barracks site can deliver over a thousand homes, in a stunning setting, within and amongst the former military buildings – some of which date back to the 18th century.

Q: Cavalry Barracks is one of the largest Brownfield sites in London, how does this large of a site in the city provide a unique opportunity for the project?

Obviously the size of the site means we can deliver much-needed new homes in a variety of tenures, alongside new leisure, retail and community facilities. But it’s also important to remember that this site has been inaccessible to the local community for over two hundred years. By opening the doors to the Barracks, we’re unlocking new green open space in the centre of the site, and creating connections through the Hounslow West neighbourhood, from the Heath to the High Street. The development is going to be exemplar in its commitment to placemaking within an existing community.

Q: As a former MOD site and overseen a development brief from the borough how does that public sector cooperation affect the project?

The Planning Brief provides us with guidance on the Council’s ambitions. Of course, we have our own expertise and vision to bring to the table, but we see our role as building on the work completed to date by the Council. Cooperation is vital and our team is working very closely with the officers and senior leadership at the London Borough of Hounslow.

Lasting legacy is one of our core values. As such, cooperation with the local community is incredibly important to us. Whether it’s neighbourhood groups, community leaders or local businesses, we’re consulting with our neighbours to make sure local people are involved and have a chance to influence plans for the Cavalry Barracks.

Q: The site contains a number of Grade II listed buildings, how are you reincorporating heritage buildings

Not only Grade II listed buildings, but also locally listed assets, too!

When the Council prepared its Planning Brief, they made clear that the development presents an opportunity to protect and enhance the heritage of the site. We couldn’t agree more. Our plans will work with the listed buildings to create attractive views throughout the development, whilst retaining and enhancing their setting. As you might expect for a Barracks with over 200 years of history, some of the buildings are regrettably in a very poor condition. Where possible, we want to invest into their refurbishment and introduce new uses such as retail, leisure and community space.

Q: What else does Inland Homes have planned for Hounslow and West London more broadly?

We’re certainly busy across this side of the capital. The Cavalry Barracks is a flagship development for us within London, and will deliver huge benefits for local people within Hounslow West and the Borough more widely. We are also currently working in the London Boroughs of Hillington and Walthamstow.

Q: Inland Homes have a proud sustainability legacy, how are those principles being enacted on the Cavalry Barracks site

There are a number of ways in which sustainability is being built into this project.

By opening the gates to the site we’re unlocking sustainable connections through to Hounslow West station, the High Street and the Heath. New and existing residents will be able to reach local amenities by foot or by bicycle more easily and safely. Whilst designs are at an early stage, concepts like a car club are under consideration, as well as a ‘mobility hub’, for cycle hire, a public transport shelter, electric car charging points, bicycle repair stand, and more.  

Biodiversity and landscaping are helping to drive our design approach. A large area of new green open space will be delivered to the community, and we’re taking a net-gain approach to biodiversity across the site. Inland Homes has a good relationship with the London Wildlife Trust, and we’re drawing on their expertise to inform our proposals.

Q: You recently partnered with us on the Hounslow Development plans Webinar, how did this partnership enable you to connect with other firms in the region?

The “Future Development Plans – Hounslow” event provided us with an excellent opportunity to hear more from other key players in the Borough, and explore ways in which we could work together to achieve our goals.

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