Plans to get rid of poor quality living quarters at RNAS Culdrose would see 157 new bed spaces built in their place.
A global design and engineering business has been appointed to undertake an environmental impact assessment for a huge refurbishment of the living accommodation at the Royal Navy base near Helston, in a bid to improve “poor quality” living conditions.
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) is proposing to refurbish the existing poor quality living accommodation to provide high quality living accommodation for all ranks of personnel and as such this development forms an essential requirement for ongoing military operational needs.
The redevelopment works will, if approved, provide a total of 157 new bed spaces and will result in an overall reduction of 51 beds through the demolition of out of use and condemned accommodation buildings within the site.
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Supporting buildings containing offices, accommodation stores and a briefing facility will also be built as well as catering and mess facilities.
A planning report says: “The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has recognised that large parts of its estate are in poor condition and is committed to addressing substandard accommodation as a priority. Substandard accommodation has a negative effect on the retention of service personnel and is damaging to the reputation of the various Armed Forces.
“The proposed scheme provides much-needed, high quality living accommodation for all ranks of personnel and as such this development forms an essential requirement for ongoing military operational needs both at RNAS Culdrose and within the wider defence organisation.”
The proposed scheme comprises a three-storey building containing 127 junior officer and 30 senior officer cabins; a two-storey combined mess and catering facility; two-storey offices, stores and briefing facility.
Buildings to be demolished include a six-storey condemned building providing 189 beds, known as Boscawen, a two-storey wardroom featuring 19 beds, a two-storey dining hall and kitchen, a two-storey senior ratings’ mess, a three-storey building which houses Culdrose’s current briefing facility and a number of others.
The proposed scheme will result in the loss of up to 174 car parking spaces but will provide a total of 130 new spaces.
Construction is expected to start in February 2027 and be complete by April 2029 if approved.
The plans can be viewed by going to the planning portal on Cornwall Council’s website, reference PA23/07270.
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