BROMPTONBARRACKS - Medway Council

BROMPTON BARRACKS 

D E S I G N A N D A C C E S S S T A T E M E N T 

ATK-RP-AR-BR-0000-0222 

Revision A 

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CONTENTS 

1. INTRODUCTION 07 

2. DESIGN 11 

3. ACCESS 27 

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1. INTRODUCTION 

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D E S I G N A N D A C C E S S S T A T E M E N T



1. INTRODUCTION 

The aim of this document is to describe the 

design and access aspects of the development 

proposals for Brompton Barracks. The 

proposals variously seek planning consent, 

Listed Building Consent and Conservation 

Area Consent so this document is intended 

to support the case for each. The design 

criteria are described with respect to published 

material on each of the history of the barracks 

buildings, the features of the conservation area 

and thorough site analyses. This design and 

access statement does not refer specifically to 

planning policies and therefore should be read 

in conjunction with other planning supporting 

documents. 

The statement is structured first to introduce 

the proposals, then to explain the general 

design principles pursued, followed by a 

building by building description of the design 

of the proposals. Next, a section addresses 

the access principles in general followed by a 

summary. The design sections are described 

with reference to the subjects identified in the 

CABE guidance for design and 

access statements. 

The proposals for Brompton Barracks include a 

variety of building types and address a number 

of features. Some buildings are proposed to be 

demolished, some to be refurbished and four 

are new-build facilities. Some of the proposals 

include internal works to existing listed 

buildings – for which Listed Building Consent 

is sought. Also, some of the proposals alter 

existing buildings, demolish existing buildings 

or construct new buildings within Conservation 

Areas located on site. 

The process of design for the development 

proposals on Brompton Barracks has followed 

a careful process including: 

• a full understanding of the way the 

existing barracks are currently used and of 

the proposed use of the area; 

• full consultation with the RSME at regular 

project intervals over seven years; 

• full consultation with constituent parts 

of the Holdfast consortium providing 

vital services – such as catering and 

maintenance services, training provision 

and construction to align the design with 

the requirements of the brief; 

• prioritization of particular site constraints 

and opportunities with reference to the 

wider project requirements; 

• evolution of a design proposal to integrate 

new buildings and uses to improve 

the effectiveness of an existing and 

functioning site; 

• consultation with officers from Medway 

Council; and 

• consultation with English Heritage. 

This process included reference to best 

practice standards – such as “Better Defence 

Buildings” issued by Defence Estates – 

together with local authority published material 

on the Brompton Lines Conservation Area and 

various planning policies. 

A fuller introduction of the role of the RSME 

is recorded in the Planning and Environmental 

Statement supporting this application. 

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2. DESIGN 

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22. DESIGN 

Background and Site Analysis 

The Brompton Barracks site already provides 

focussed construction training for soldiers 

to complement combat training offered in 

Minley in Hampshire. The proposals support 

the Holdfast consortium’s aim to work with 

RSME to improve the efficiencies of this 

training and to release military trainers back 

to the operational field over a period of thirty 

years. The military presence in Chatham 

over the centuries has been pivotal to the 

heritage of the town – and the existence of 

the barracks is a living, working legacy to the 

area. The proposals represent the latest stage 

in the evolution of this military heritage with 

a clear intention to maintain the people and 

the building stock associated with this recent 

military objective. 

The site itself contains layer upon layer of 

history, including 18th century fortifications, 

listed buildings and a conservation area with 

distinct architectural character. Wherever 

practicable, development is required to respect 

this heritage by adapting existing internal 

and external spaces to bring the training 

environment up to date. However, some of the 

existing buildings are nearing the end of their 

useful life, and the same drive for improved 

efficiency and addressing the contemporary 

needs of the RSME identifies some buildings 

as candidates for replacement and renewal. 

Broadly the site splits into two components – 

one part delivers the ‘hands on’ construction 

training – the other catering for living 

quarters of trainees and trainers – backed by 

administrative functions. Apart from occasional 

use of some of the barracks to the east in 

‘HMS Collingwood’, these two functions 

occupy different areas on the barracks site – 

Aerial view of the existing Brompton Barracks site 

the living and administrative quarters to the 

west and the training areas and buildings to 

the east. 

The training facilities offered on site have been 

continually updated by the military and by Mid 

Kent College over the recent years – so the 

new brief does not require these areas to be 

developed. 

However, rationalization of the training 

delivery will yield changes to the single living 

accommodation for junior ranks, for senior noncommissioned 

officers and for officers. It will 

also alter the administrative support functions. 

Careful scrutiny of the existing built stock has 

identified that many of the proposed changes 

are able to be accommodated within the 

existing buildings – sustaining their use and 

preserving the wider heritage. Substandard 

and poorer quality buildings will be demolished, 

most of which are outside the Conservation 

Area. The larger buildings proposed for 

demolition include accommodation blocks 

erected in the sixties which have neither the 

capacity nor the fabric to adapt to required 

patterns of use and modern standards of 

construction. 

BR 007A, a 1980s accommodation block 

adjacent to the Officer’s Mess within 

the Conservation Area, is required to be 

demolished because it cannot be adapted to 

house the required number of SNCOs and 

because any adaptation of the existing rooms 

would render sub-standard accommodation. 

Rodney Block is also within a small, discrete 

part of the Conservation Area and is proposed 

to be demolished because it is beyond 

economical repair and it is too far away from 

the core living and administrative areas to be a 

rational and effective location when considered 

over the length of the project (likely to be 

30 years). 

Conjoined wide angle view of existing parade ground 

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Again, with the exception of existing, substandard 

barrack room accommodation 

in some of the occupiable parts of HMS 

Collingwood, messing facilities are provided in 

and amongst the living quarters in the west of 

Brompton Barracks, including the shop, laundry 

and hairdressers to support the servicemen 

and their families. 

The contours of the existing site – which 

generally fall (sometimes steeply) to the north 

west of the site – together with the attractively 

formal arrangement of the Pasley Road and 

parade ground buildings have created a 

pattern of roads and circulation which appears 

secondary to the location of buildings. 

Consequently, a one way system currently 

operates for vehicles navigating around the 

parade ground to avoid an acute turn around 

a listed building – and another service road 

connects the existing Officers Mess to the JR 

Mess to the north of the conservation area. 

This vehicular circulation route, although not 

composed of easy bends, respects the historic 

layout, is established and does function. 

The barracks site is otherwise compact 

enough to rely on pedestrian movement of 

soldiers – particularly when training functions 

are concentrated in one area and living 

accommodation in another. Movement 

between the closely located facilities in each 

of the training areas and the living areas is 

occasionally relieved by formal open spaces. 

The above analysis yields principles to be 

pursued in design as follows: 

• Re-use existing buildings wherever this is 

economically feasible – but in particular to 

respect the conservation area setting and 

the listed status of some of the buildings. 

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• Demolish or replace buildings only where 

they fail to meet current standards and are 

beyond economic repair; 

• Respect existing established road layouts 

and pedestrian movement patterns where 

these are sustainable; and 

• Pay particular attention to the character of 

the whole site – with the aim of replicating 

that character in new construction. 

Facilities Subject to Development 

Code 

BR 0006 

Title 

Officer’s SLA 

Description 

of Work 

Minor 

Refurbishment 

Figure showing status of each facility included in Development Proposal 

Listed 

Status 

Conservation 

Area Status 

2* CA 

BR 0007A SNCO’s SLA Demolition - CA 

BR 0009 

BR 0010 


Regimental HQ 

Minor 

Refurbishment 

Minor 

Refurbishment 

2* CA 

2 CA 

BR 0011 JRSLA Demolition - - 

BR 0012 JR Mess Demolition - - 

BR 0014 SNCO’s SLA Demolition - - 

BR 0015 SNCO’s SLA Demolition - - 

BR 0027 

Chaplaincy 

Minor 

Refurbishment 

- CA 

BR 0028 Garages Demolition - CA 

BR0029 

HQ Building 

Minor 

Refurbishment 

2 CA 

BR 0063 Demolition - CA 

BR 0110 Storage Shed Demolition - - 



BR 0410 Demolition - - 

BR 0503 Rodney Block Demolition - CA 

BR 1016 JRSLA New-Build - - 

BR 1017 JRSLA New-Build - - 

BR 1025 SNCO’s SLA New-Build - CA



Design in General 

The design proposals follow the principles 

established above. 

The design proposals are also derived from 

consideration of: 

• the existing uses on site and of the 

buildings; 

• the amount of building required and 

appropriate; 

• the layout of the buildings on the site, and 

• the associated landscape and the 

appearance of the proposals. 

This section deals with the principles and 

considerations as they apply to the site overall 

as opposed to the next section which deals 

with particular buildings. 

Use 

The anticipated appointment of a ‘private sector 

partner’ to share in the provision of training will 

change the nature of this military site used as a 

headquarters and for the construction training 

element of Royal Engineers. 

The existing site is in military use – also 

accessed by civilian trainers and administrative 

staff to support the military purpose. Once 

Holdfast enter into a contract with RSME, a 

higher proportion of civilians will visit the site 

on a daily basis – although the overall number 

occupying the site and surroundings 

will remain unchanged. 

The training element on site is not proposed to 

change significantly. No associated changes to 

the buildings delivering training function 

are required. 

Amount 

It has been Holdfast’s responsibility to 

formulate a proposal for a training delivery 

programme which meets the needs of the 

RSME and yet respects the host site context. 

Therefore the numbers of occupants of the site 

has been calculated with a careful eye on what 

degree of development intensity would be 

appropriate for this site. 

Brompton Barracks site, though not congested, 

has little clear space for development. Overdevelopment 

would detract from the character 

of the site – especially in sensitive conservation 

areas which – as noted in Medway Council’s 

appraisal document – enjoy a sense of 

dignity by virtue of widely spaced principal 

buildings. The proposals therefore restrict 

the volume of development to three storeys 

or to the height of buildings to be replaced 

without ‘crowding’ the existing character areas 

and by providing new areas of open space 

between new buildings. Selective demolition 

of buildings which no longer represent the 

quality of accommodation required by the 

MoD will permit a more rational layout where 

replacements will be arranged to optimize the 

use of such space without compromise to 

the character. 

This delicate balance between provision of 

low profile buildings around new open spaces 

invites the most effective use of available 

building area – including, for example, the 

combination of two messes to share kitchens 

and dining areas – contributing to reduced 

development volume. 

Similarly, minor modifications of existing living 

accommodation allows more flexible use – for 

example re-formatting the existing basement 

rooms in BR006 and BR009 to provide Officer’s 

accommodation with private en-suite ablutions 

will permit more effective use of these historic 

buildings – rather than re-building 

existing facilities. 

A careful balance has been derived which 

requires removal of selected buildings, 

proposes efficiently configured living 

accommodation and maximizes efficiency by 

combining the messes of the junior ranks and 

the SNCOs. 

This is accompanied by a preference to re-use 

and to re-configure existing buildings wherever 

economically feasible. 

In the same vein, re-development of the 

existing sub-standard BR 007A is proposed 

rather than refurbishment augmented by newbuild. 

In this way, maximised effectiveness of 

the building footprints is sought. 

This results in a total new-build built area of 

some 20,000 sqm together with refurbishment 

and demolition. 

Scale 

The proposals reflect the scale of the existing 

buildings. The scale of the existing context 

has been used generally to determine a 

development envelope. 

As described above, the scale of the proposals 

pays heed to the character of the existing site. 

No new development is proposed to exceed 

the heights of those to be demolished (the 

development instead makes more efficient 

but appropriate use of the land area). The 

proposals are limited in scale to three or four 

storeys in order to properly blend with the 

existing built context. 

The conservation area appraisal document 

comments that, although the principal 

buildings were constructed at different times 

and therefore exhibit different styles, their scale 

is homogeneous – adding to the character of 

the conservation area. This aspect has been 

respected in the development of the proposals 

which abide by the above homogeneous scale 

and exercise a license for different styles 

of construction. 

Layout 

The primary areas on Brompton Barracks 

site are formally laid out and an orthogonal 

configuration is a clear precedent for the 

majority of the new-build design proposals. 

The only exception to this orthogonal layout is 

the proposal to demolish BR 007A and replace 

it with a new SNCO SLA block. This proposed 

building inhabits an acute angle established by 

the road. The design incorporates articulated 

linear blocks to accord as closely as possible 

with the existing context which avoids curving 

or segmented footprints. 

Similarly, the layout of the proposals adheres 

to the principles outlined above – respecting 

the layouts of the existing buildings and 

their circulation routes. Orientation, where 

appropriate, has been considered in order to 

ensure the development is as environmentally 

sustainable as possible. 

The sequence of construction for the newbuild 

proposals also impacts on their layout 

and position on site. The following image 

superimposes sketch footprints of the larger 

buildings identified for demolition with the 

three new proposals. The new Combined 

Mess is intended to be constructed whilst 

the existing mess remains in operation so as 

to maintain continuous mess facilities to the 

barracks. The location of the new facility is 

guided by this need for continuity. 

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Landscaping 

The character of the barracks site, especially 

in the Conservation Area, is imbued by the 

formality of the building layout, the planted 

areas with formal raised beds and the mature 

trees. The whole of the primary character 

area in the Brompton Lines Conservation 

Area is noted as benefitting from peripheral 

areas of planting – in gardens to the west of 

the existing Officers SLA, in woodland on 

the slopes toward the River Medway and in 

formal planting around the Parade Ground, 

Headquarters Building and associated larger 

houses in the east. The buildings themselves 

are pavilionesque in character whilst 

successfully referencing each other to add a 

disciplined, purposeful but ‘reposed’ sense to 

the environment. The proposals acknowledge 

the contribution of the existing landscape and 

include landscape designs which complement 

this character. The new buildings address the 

peripheral woodland slopes as amenity space 

from within the building and by external views. 

The design proposals respect the character 

generally by maintaining a single-, two- or 

three-storey profile on an orthogonal orientation 

supported by planting in new courtyards. With 

the new-build elements, particular attention 

has been paid to retain important vistas and 

to creation of new formal courtyards. In this 

way, the relationship of buildings to the spaces 

around them is continued beyond the edges of 

the current Conservation Area so as to permit 

extending the boundary in future designations. 

The new formal courtyards are predominantly 

hard paved with geometric planting proposals 

to reflect the character of the parade ground. 

The existing Officers Mess allow Officers 

access to the peripheral informal garden 

planting to the west of the conservation area. 

The proposed SNCO courtyard offers views 

across the peripheral woodland slopes. The 

Junior Ranks part of the new Combined Mess 

offers views from within the building over 

these wooded slopes and over a new secluded 

and planted courtyard between the new mess 

and new JRSLAs. The design proposals 

therefore make appropriate use of the existing 

landscaping according to status. 

The HMS Collingwood part of the Conservation 

Area differs slightly to the remainder by 

being almost wholly hard landscaped in its 

enclosed yard– apart from the row of lime 

trees alongside Rodney Block. The proposal 

to demolish Rodney Block will expose these 

mature trees to wider view yet offer a character 

still akin to the majority of the Conservation 

Area. 

Hard and soft landscape proposals link the 

new-build proposals in an appropriate way. The 

addition of a hard paved access to the Pasley 

Road aspect of the new JRSLA is in keeping 

with the character of the parade ground and 

headquarters building ensemble – whilst 

retaining most of the important trees on the 

green verge directly adjacent to the road. 

A Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM) 

traverses the site in the form of a dry-bedded 

moat with brick-built side walls. These are 

known as the ‘Inner Lines’ and represent the 

remnants of eighteenth century fortifications. 

All of the proposals avoid the area of the ‘Inner 

Lines’. The proposed demolition of Rodney 

Block and two flanking buildings affect the 

Conservation Area, but do not affect the 

‘Inner Lines’ Scheduled Ancient Monument. 

Therefore no SAM consent is sought. 

Appearance 

The external appearance of the existing 

buildings to be refurbished will not change – 

except for the proposed addition of a minor 

access ramp to BR010. 

Whether inside or outside the designated 

Conservation Areas, the character of the 

existing buildings is a strong influence of the 

appearance of the new-build proposals. 

Most of the buildings in the parade ground 

character area of the Conservation Area use a 

yellow stock brick for the walls. Details range 

from the ornate on the Headquarters Building 

BR0029 to plain ( with some relief onplan) 

on BR0010. In every case the proposals 

respect this use of material which achieves an 

appearance of ‘solidity’ and permanence. The 

variety of different styles evident across the 

parade ground character area does not detract 

from its quality. The proposals therefore 

do not attempt to replicate styles from the 

adjacent character but do aim to achieve the 

same air of solidity and permanence. This is 

achieved by use of brickwork walls, a degree 

of modelling and relief on the elevations to 

emphasize the thicknesses of the walls – 

including expression of window reveals. Tonal 

and textural differences in the proposed brick 

specifications accentuate the modelling on 

the corners and plinths to subtly diminish the 

bulk of the proposals in the context of smaller 

neighbouring but listed buildings. 

Care has been taken by RSME to maintain 

the buildings in the parade ground character 

area which, over recent years, has included 

re-roofing in slate of several buildings and the 

re-instatement of brickwork chimney stacks 

on the original barrack buildings. The new 

slate roofs in particular impart a disciplined 

and uncomplicated appearance to many of the 

existing buildings. All the new buildings on the 

site will utilize standing seam metal roofs in a 

neutral colour which represent a contemporary 

yet compatible alternative roof which is 

uncomplicated and functional. 

The proposed single living accommodation 

blocks do not require chimneys to support 

their heating system and none is proposed. 

However, natural ventilation shafts are 

presented on the roofscape of the proposed 

combined mess which expresses a 

contemporary concern for thermal comfort in 

this new deep plan building. 

The window patterns on the SLA proposals 

echo the regularity and proportions of those 

around the parade square. These are proposed 

to be double-glazed windows in aluminium 

powder-coated finish which avoid deeper 

section mullions and transoms in keeping 

with the refined window frames evident on 

the site. Elevationally, pairs of windows are 

arranged more closely together to achieve a 

rhythm which further breaks the length of the 

facade. In contrast to the buildings proposed 

for demolition. Entrance features, in the form 

of oriel windows over recessed doorways front 

onto Pasley Road – adding a more confident 

presence. 

These give onto a new path in front of the 

proposals more in keeping with the context 

of the Pasley Road formality than the existing 

building to be demolished. 

Curtain walling and cladding are used where 

appropriate to the deep plan of the proposed 

combined mess – but these complement 

sturdy masonry landscape elements and 

adjoined brickwork blocks to give the 

appearnce of lightweight boxes on masonry 

plinths. Shadow gaps between these materials 

again emphasize the modelling and relief 

incorporated into the detail of the elevation. 

In this way, the curtain walling and cladding 

also exhibit depth rather than ‘flat, planar’ 

construction. 

Sustainability has been a primary consideration 

in the design of the proposals. First, by 

sustaining the use of the barracks site 

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throughout a rationalized training delivery 

project continues the heritage of the site and 

its innate relationship withthe town of Chatham 

– creating employment and supporting the 

local economy. Second, environmental 

sustainability is ensured by adaptation of many 

of the existing facilities on the site. Third, all of 

the new buildings will conform to the exacting 

standards of Approved Document L (2006) 

of the Building Regulations – an accepted 

standard in terms of sustainability for MoD 

work. As such, the new-build buildings have 

been thermally modelled to prove compliance. 

The combined mess has been engineered with 

ventilation and light stacks on the roof to allow 

passive cooling and ventilation alongside a 

high degree of natural daylight penetration into 

the heart of a deep plan building. The stacks 

on the roof, the north facing glazed and clad 

elevation and the thermal mass of the masonry 

plinth all express a twenty first century concern 

for the environment in a building which is 

primarily a finely tuned ‘machine’ offering 

environmental and social comfort whilst 

engaging with a rich architectural and historic 

context. 

These new buildings demonstrate two worthy 

architectural premises between them. First, 

that modular construction and efficiently 

arranged accommodation is an appropriate 

development option for this sensitive historic 

site when proper concern for the modelling and 

detail are applied. Second, that environmental 

sustainability in deep plan buildings is an 

achievable pursuit within a heritage site. 

Design in Particular 

This section describes the proposals 

individually and grouped separately as 

proposals for demolition, proposals for 

refurbishment or new-build proposals. 

Buildings Proposed for Demolition 

BR 007A – Officers’ SLA 

This three and four storey building was built 

in the 1980’s to accommodate Officers in a 

location convenient for their mess. It consists 

of single bedrooms sharing ablutions. This 

accommodation cannot be refurbished to 

provide spaces and compliant with latest 

standards for Sergeants (SNCOs) and is too 

small to accommodate the number of rooms 

required for relocated Sergeants. 

This building is therefore required to be 

demolished to create space for a new build 

modular facility providing the right number of 

compliant sized rooms for SNCOs across a 

new courtyard from their proposed messing 

accommodation. 

BR 007A 

BR 007A is located adjacent to the proposed 

SNCO and JR Combined Mess. It is included 

within the Conservation Area and sits next to 

the Officers’ Mess which is Listed Grade 2*. It 

is also just visible through and above the winter 

tree line from outside the site boundary on 

Dock Road. 

. 

BR 0011 – JRSLA 

This facility fronts onto the designated 

Conservation Area but is not included within 

it. The building itself is a 1960s or 1970s 

construction in modular units typical of the 

period. Its elevation does not blend with 

the listed building context flanking Pasley 

Road. The block is showing signs of decay. 

This building is a Junior Ranks Single Living 

Accommodation block (JRSLA) which is 

incapable of adaptation to meet modern 

standards of living space for trainee engineers. 

The existing rooms are not fitted with en-suite 

facilities and fall below acceptable space 

standards. 

However, the massing and orientation of the 

block is sympathetic to the character of the 

Conservation Area. Its frontage is aligned with 

the formal axis of Pasley Road and separated 

from the road by a wide grass verge with 

mature trees established within it. The threestorey 

height of the building sits well with its 

listed context. The building itself is not listed. 

Since the building cannot be adapted to serve 

a useful purpose and since it is nearing the end 

of its life, demolitions appropriate. 

Its removal permits the proposal to construct a 

more modern and more sympathetic facility for 

accommodating junior ranks soldiers. Access 

into this block is via doors in the ends of the 

block rather than through a formally displaced 

architectural entrance. Nor is there a footpath 

alongside the building to the rear of the Pasley 

Road grass verge. To a degree, these latter 

features render this block incongruous with its 

Listed neighbours. 

Within the sequence of construction intended 

for the project, early demolition is planned. 

BR 0012 – Junior Ranks Mess 

This facility (overleaf) was constructed in the 

1960s or 1970s and provides the messing 

accommodation for most of the site for Junior 

Ranks. It site is parallel to the BR 0011 JRSLA 

but distanced from it by virtue of significant 

change of level. Indeed the primary entrance 

to the facility is across a concrete pedestrian 

bridge onto North Road. 

This building is not included within the 

Conservation Area and is not listed. The 

architecture is of a poor quality and its 

accommodation is sub-standard. 

The building will be maintained in use pending 

completion of the proposed replacement to 

be constructed alongside and its mass and 

location dictate the final positioning of the 

proposed Combined Mess BR 1018. 

BR 0014 – JRSLA and BR 0015 – JRSLA 

This pair of conjoined Single Living 

Accommodation blocks (SLA) is currently 

occupied by Senior Non-Commissioned 

Officers (SNCOs) and was also built during the 

1960s or 1970s. It is suited with a newer SLA 

construction to the north (BR 0013) which is 

not scheduled for demolition due to its more 

recent provision of space for living units. 

Neither of these existing buildings are listed, 

they are too far removed from listed buildings 

on site to affect the listed buildings’ setting. 

Nor are these two buildings included within the 

Conservation Area. 

Their demolition will make way for a 

rationalized layout of more contemporary 

JRSLA blocks which make more efficient use 

of space on the site. 

BR007A 

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BR 0024 - Former Ambulance Station 

This disused single storey garage building 

does not contribute to the Brompton Barracks 

site and represents a maintenance burden 

into the future. It is therefore proposed to 

be demolished and will constitute medium 

positive impact on the Conservation Area by 

opening up views onto principal buildings. 

BR 0028 - Garage 

This building is no longer required and adds 

little to the character of the Brompton Barracks 

site and the Conservation Area. Therefore the 

building is proposed to be demolished. 

BR 0063 - Toilet 



site and the Conservation Area. Therefore the 

building is proposed to be demolished. 

BR 0410 



site. Therefore the building is proposed tobe 

demolished. 

BR 0503 – Rodney Block 

This facility, along with the two buildings 

situated at each end of the block, is proposed 

to be demolished. All three buildings sit within 

a small insular element of the designated 

Conservation Area. None of the five buildings 

included inthe Conservation Area are listed. 

Demolition of these three buildings is justified 

in terms of their being wholly unuseable and 

beyond economic repair. The Rodney Block 

itself is one of three buildings with apparent 

similarities in their architectural mass and 

elevations. The block used to contain living 

accommodation but has remined unoccupied 

for over twenty years. 

The block is three storeys high set as one of 

three sides to a triangular arrangement. This 

triangular arrangement is by virtue of their 

being constructed onthe site of a ‘ravelin’ – a 

civil engineered earthwork and masonry 

structure forming an integral part of the ‘Inner 

Lines’ defensive construction dating back to 

the late eighteenth century. This latter feature 

is a part of the Scheduled Ancient Monument. 

As such, it is the foundations of the five 

suited buildings which offer archaeological 

heritage – not the buildings. Consultation with 

Peter Kendall of English Heritage confimed 

at a meeting onsite that EH have nopolicy on 

the retention of Rodney Block – only in what 

excavation beneath the buildings might reveal. 

It is understood the this collection of buildings 

was included within a Conservation Area at 

the behest of EH as a means to preserve any 

archaeological remains to be found beneath 

the Rodney Block. 

As a consequence, the three blocks proposed 

to be demolished will be carefully deconstructed 

down to top of ground floor slab 

only. Upon demolition, an existing avenue of 

mature lime trees will be exposed to external 

view maintaining a vertical record of the 

orientation of the demolished buildings. 

Rodney Block is constructed with masonry 

brickwork on a concrete frame with a slate tiled 

roof. The interior construction reveals asbestos 

based materials integrated with the floor 

shuttering. The general services provision to 

the block is poor and would require total refit. 

A Building Condition Survey has been prepared 

as a supporting document to this application. 

Modern standards of catering provision and 

living accommodation on military sites now 

requires messing facilities to be within five 

minutes walk of any accommodation block. 

In this instance, any use of this block for its 

original purpose is not possible. 

Refurbishment Works and 

Accessibility Improvements to 

Listed Buildings 

The likely user profile of each building and 

the extent to which DDA compliance is 

required, has been considered with the aim of 

minimising effects to Listed Buildings. Minimal 

works are required to the following buildings. 

BR 0006 – Officer’s SLA and BR 0009 – 


These facilities front onto the formal parade 

ground, and form a geometric horseshoe with 

other listed accommodation including the 

Officer’s Mess. BR 0006 and BR 0009 are 

both Grade 2* listed. The block is currently 

occupied by Officers SLAs. These buildings 

around the parade square have been carefully 

looked after by the RSME – including recent 

re-roofing work. 

The proposals for BR 0006 affect only 

westernmost end wing of the existing building 

– and only the basement floor of this wing. 

These proposals are handed for BR 0009. 

The existing accommodation will be subject 

to careful removal of recently constructed 

lightweight studwork walls and making good 

to create enough space within the undisturbed 

original building material for two additional 

living quarters for officers in each building. In 

addition, provision of new utility rooms at front 

and back of each end wing will increase the 

capacity of the SLA. 

BR 0006 

BR 0010 – Regimental Headquarters 

The regimental headquarters building is an 

imposing and solid looking brick-built edifice. 

Its solidity is vested in the 100mm recesses 

used around selected windows and entrances. 

It is a listed building (Grade 2) included within 

the Conservation Area. 

The internal accommodation is proposed to 

be updated to provide a wheelchair accessible 

wc room at the northern side by adjusting the 

internal existing WC layout. 

Similarly, an external access ramp will be 

provided to the northern entrance on the 

west elevation to meet the needs of disabled 

people. The proposed location of the external 

ramp would require minor re-modelling of the 

existing low level planting bed. 

BR 0010 as existing 

P16



A stair lift will be provided on the northern 

staircase to ensure full disabled access 

throughout the building along existing wide and 

level corridors. 

BR 0029 – Headquarters Building 

This grand building sits on the formal axis of 

the parade ground on the other side of Pasley 

Road and expresses many crafted details to 

the external finishes – mainly in brick. Works 

are proposed for each of the existing floors to 

generally improve accessibility and functionality 

inuse as an office block. The building is Grade 

2 listed and clearly within the Conservation Area. 

Firstly the requirements of the proposed use of 

the building must be considered. 

The offices required have been arranged 

over as few floors of the building as possible, 

taking into account their direct communication 

with each other and with other existing 

administrative functions already in place and 

used by RSME. The building is ‘stepped’ with a 

half-flight of stairs between the ‘front’ (western) 

ground floor and the ‘back’ (eastern) ground 

floor, and it is this half—flight which requires 

some form of access for disabled and infirm 

people. 

The proposals do not represent a change 

of use of the building and therefore do 

not invoke compliance with the current 

Building Regulations. However, the Disability 

Discrimination Act obliges the applicant to 

make reasonable adjustments to the access 

into and within the building – and the standard 

of acceptability of such adjustments is defined 

by Approved Document M of the Building 

Regulations. 

After detailed discussions both pre- and postapplication, 

the local authority have advised 

that a permanent stairlift for the half-flight 

would be unacceptable due to the effects 

of drilling into the stair treads or fixing to the 

cast iron balustrade. They also advise that a 

permanent Approved Document M compliant 

access from the southern courtyard would be 

unacceptable in the Listed Building context 

since this would involve damaging ‘character’ 

elements of the building, namely, repositioning 

of cast iron downpipes, a floor gully, reconfiguring 

existing cast iron geometric pattern 

guardings and construction of a wider ‘bridge’ 

across basement perimeter access. 

It is proposed that no permanent access 

feature for external access into the building 

will be incorporated for disabled persons. 

Instead, a temporary and ‘managed’ ramp 

system is proposed in order to preserve the 

historic features of this building. For internal 

access to assist vertical circulation, again, no 

permanent features are proposed with access 

being managed by the use of temporary and 

moveable stair climbers. 

The basement floor of the building will have 

some non-original partitions removed and new 

construction work in lightweight removable 

partitions to create changing rooms, locker 

rooms and toilets for Military Guard Service. 

Drainage and plumbing will connect wherever 

possible to existing runs and any new drainage 

work will be undertaken sensitively to minimize 

disruption to the existing fabric and to avoid 

the use of external pipework where possible. 

No inward opening doors will be converted to 

outward opening. 

On the ground floor, some very minor 

demolition work is required to remove nonoriginal 

walls and some doors. New work 

comprises construction of lightweight partition 

walls to create disabled toilets, cleaners rooms 

and locker rooms with access to different levels 

being managed by automated stair climbers. 

These works are proposed to be undertaken 

to provide access for disabled people to 

relevant accommodation in accordance with 

DDA for civilian employees. A temporary and 

“managed” access ramp to a side door is 

also proposed. 

On the first floor, one new opening is to be 

created in an original wall for a single door. 

New work includes construction of two walls 

– one in keeping with original fabric – to create 

new offices. 

Access to the basement would not be sensible 

because a number of single steps exist 

throughout the basement floor. Access to 

the ‘rear’ ground floor only would not provide 

sufficient office space. Access to the ‘front’ 

ground floor only would not provide sufficient 

office space and would also require a means 

of access from the prominent and particularly 

finely detailed main entrance which would be 

undesirable. Therefore the proposal represents 

a sensible approach, making a reasonable 

amount of office space accessible which is 

reasonably capable of being accessed. 

BR 0029 

P17



Proposed New Buildings 


Use 

As part of the proposed rationalization of 

training within all the sites in Chatham used 

by RSME, new and improved single living 

accommodation is required. Explicit guidelines 

prepared by MoD dictate the size of room and 

en suite facilities to be offered. These rooms 

will be occupied for the duration of the training 

courses by junior ranks – the lengths of the 

courses vary – but are rarely longer than three 

months. As such, robust modular units similar 

to those developed by the hospitality trade are 

eminently suitable. The rooms are clustered 

to allow shared main entrances to identifiable 

suites of six or seven rooms supported by 

sitting rooms and utility rooms. Such provision 

moves away from shared barrack rooms and 

enables a greater degree of independence to 

the trainees and a higher standard of comfort. 

This enhances recruitment. It also requires 

consequent closer proximity to social and 

messing functions. 

Scale 

The proposal for a large single living 

accommodation block for Junior Ranks (JRSLA) 

sits on an area of land which falls away tothe 

north east markedly. This allows the proposal 

to exhibit a three storey elevation to Pasley 

Road – which is the same number of storeys 

as the building required to be demolished on 

its site. Using the contours, the proposal steps 

down by one floor to the west - presenting 

a three storey elevation to a junior ranks 

courtyard. This allows the combined mess to 

be built with the same number of storeys as 

the existing junior ranks mess proposed to 

be demolished. 

P18 

Sketch showing relief achieved on elevations on BR 1016 

Final proposal – elevation to south of BR 1017 

The scale of the building at three storeys tall 

– despite having its ground floor set a mtre 

and a half below the existing block – marries 

respectfully into the context of the parade 

ground and Pasley Road character. 

Layout 

BR 1016 (JRSLA) is aligned on its easternmost 

perimeter with the listed building BR 010 and 

parallel to the Pasley Road formal avenue. 

This alignment is slightly further west than 

the existing building to be demolished and 

will expose a small breakin the built skyline to 

the formal avenue in its north western corner. 

However, this location will permit the retention 

of most of the maturing trees on an existing 

sward of grass contributing to the aligned 

displacement of features along Pasley Road 

– and these trees effectively close the same 

corner from ‘leaked’ views tothe north west. 

BR1016 may be conceived as a cluster of four 

‘three wing’ buildings combined to form a 

single construction. This winged arrangement 

is an essential element of the brief which 

requires groups of six or seven soldiers to be 

‘housed’ together. 

Each of these wings share a common access 

point and, on the upper floors, a sitting 

room. These sitting rooms project to form 

an ‘oriel’ which gives relief to the frontage 

of this building which is constructed using 

pre-fabricated modular units. These oriels 

also signify the entrances to these clusters. 

These entrances are accessed directly from 

formal spaces around them – either as existing 

(along the east on Pasley Road) or along a new 

frontage to a new ‘junior ranks courtyard’ (on 

the west).



Evolutionary sketches to explore emphasis on entrances and to diminish mass 

Two of these common access points front 

Pasley Road – thereby offering interest 

and relief to this elevation. Combined with 

modelling of the brickwork ‘in situ’ cladding 

and expressed window reveals, the design 

for this elevation is entirely in context with the 

Conservation Area context. This is despite 

the strict delineation of the Conservation Area 

being along Pasley Road itself – omitting the 

site of the current building and its grassed 

verge frontage. The other two entrances 

open onto the new Junior Ranks courtyard 

to be created between this building and the 

proposed combined mess. 

Final proposal – elevation to Pasley Road 

P19



In accordance with the project brief, this 

building may require to be constructed in two 

phases. The entire frontage onto Pasley Road 

will be constructed in a single phase. 

Landscape 

The proposals recognize that the character of 

the area is imbued just as keenly by the formal 

landscape arrangements as by the high quality 

buildings within the conservation area. The 

Pasley Road works are kept deliberately low 

key in order not to compete with the existing 

character – and the proposal aims to retain 

most of the trees between Pasley Road and the 

BR1016 proposal. 

The proposal to arrange common accesses 

from Pasley Road requires a hard landscaped 

approach to the building onthis frontage which 

will be wider and more carefully considered 

than the existing paved perimeter maintenance 

route. Changes in level are proposed to be 

afforded by steps from North Road and by 

steps again down to the service road to the 

north of the block. A level approach/ramped 

pathway willlink these entances to Pasley 

Road pavements. The strategy to move the 

building line westward by approximately one 

metre allows both the retention of the existing 

trees and grading down of the existing grass 

verge land form – with only limited use of low 

retaining walls. Such careful arrangement of 

hard and soft landscaping abutting the built 

proposals is in keeping with the consercation 

area context. 

BR1016 and the proposed combined mess 

is an important recreational and circulation 

space for junior ranks. A small kick-about area 

is provided adjacent to landscape screening 

between the formal SNCO drop off/entrance 

and courtyards. A change of level between 

the two new buildings is accentuated in 

hardlandscaping and refers to the rectangular 

and skewed geometry created in the space. 

This space will accommodate a a high number 

of pedestrian movements as the junior ranks 

attend meal times and socialize in the club 

(first floor of the combined mess). Shade 

structures and street furniture will add to the 

sense of place – together with planted trees 

and raised beds. This courtyard terminates on 

the north edge in a retaining wall incorporating 

ornamental steps and ramps. 

Appearance 

The modular buildings are essentially planar 

in their core construction but, on the Pasley 

Road elevation and the JR courtyard elevation 

include a degree of modelling on the outer 

leaf in deference to the expressed ‘solidity’ of 

the listed buildings around the parade square. 

Despite the modular construction, the depth of 

the reveals is emphasized as far as practicable 

so that the new modular construction sits 

comfortably with their revered and historic 

neighbours. 

However, the designs avoid pastiche. Instead, 

the proposed elevations quietly proclaim 

ther modular construction and are intended 

to represent contemporary good practice 

combined with appropriate proportions. 


Scale 

Further north on the site, an existing three 

storey SLA block is proposed to be demolished 

and a new three storey JRSLA constructed with 

different layout. In each case, the footprints 

of the proosals are larger than the buildings 

they replace but their location and perimeter 

respects the existing road layouts and creates 

open spaces for recreation. 

Layout 

BR 1017 is a similar building to BR1016 and 

combines two of these three wing elements 

and utilizes the same oriels and materials to 

accentuate the entrances. The orientation of 

the building and its location are selected to 

create larger ‘urban’ squares. 

Appearance 

The modular construction of the proposal 

mirrors the appearance of the proposed BR 

1016 JRSLA. This will help to create a campus 

style to the new developments and yet pays 

similar respect to the Conservation Area to 

enable the new construction to blend with the 

existing. 

Along North Road and the service road, 

retaining structures are already used to cope 

with the changes in level. These will be 

reinterpreted to suit a proposed difference in 

level east to west of one storey. 

The courtyard between the proposed JRSLA 

P20 

Developmental model of the proposed Combined 

Mess in topographical context



BR 1018 – JR and SNCO Combined Mess 

Use 

The existing JR mess and SNCOs mess each 

are in need of renewal and are inappropriately 

planned for a contemporary mess facility. 

There are clear benefits – in operational terms 

as well as in effective site layout terms – to 

providing a single kitchen delivering ‘in two 

directions’ to two separated messes. It is 

important, in the military brief, to keep the 

two provisions separated. Dining rooms 

and recreational rooms for each of the ranks 

are also separately provided. Back of house 

functions – such as food delivery, staff 

ablutions, stores etc also need to be divorced 

from the two front of house activities. 

The combined mess will occupy a central 

location on site to cater directly to JR and 

SNCO living accommodation. 

Scale 

The site constraints are exacting – bounded 

by existing roads, and retaining walls on 

north and south sides – together with need 

to create formal open spaces and new SLA 

accommodation on both eaqstern and western 

edges. The volume of the construction is 

prescribed by an explicit brief – relieved by 

efficient use of dining spaces which can be 

flexibly divided based on occurrences of 

special catering events. 

The proposed site for the Combined Mess is 

mainly on an existing car park which need not 

be re-provided (there is sufficient space else 

where on site). It is understood that this car 

park is constructed on ‘made’ ground. This 

means that much of the back of house facilities 

can be accommodated in a basement which 

fits with the topography of the site and with 

the simple excavation of ‘made’ ground. This 

limits the proposed accommodation to single 

and two-storey massing above new ground 

levels. Although these storey heights are larger 

than ‘domestic’ provision – to cater for dining 

halls and club facilities, the overall height of the 

facility is kept to a minimum and is unlikely to 

affect the visible outlines observed from Dock 

Road. Butterfly roofs over the dining hall and 

club, together with passive light and ventilation 

stacks incorporated above them, do not detract 

from the general low profile offered by the 

proposed building. 

Layout 

In keeping with the delicate balance between 

buildings and open space which characterize 

BromptonBarracks conservation areas, the 

proposed combined mess successfully 

condenses two buildings into one. This 

reduces the development scope and takes 

advantage of efficiencies of a single kitchen 

and flexible dining space. The combined mess 

BR1018 is therefore a complicated building 

which responds to its location in a number 

of ways. One side of the building directly 

addresses a new formal courtyard for the 

SNCOs – which will be used for erection of 

marquees on ‘mess nights’ and other special 

occasions. 

On the eastern side, this building addresses 

the new JR courtyard with a clear and skewed 

entrance which helps to create a degree of 

enclosure. 

On this face, the building is predominantly 

two storeys high – giving a well-proportioned 

enclosure to the JR courtyard. On the southern 

edge, this building addresses a rising retaining 

wall but keeps a deliberately low profile 

except to accentuate the SNCO entrance. 

The northern elevation takes advantage of the 

change in level across the site such that this 

Design development sketch of SNCO courtyard 

Evolutionary sketch of JR courtyard 

P21



elevation is three storeys tall. This massing 

equates with the height of the mess building 

it replaces. The north elevation is mainly 

glazed – being a large dining room on the 

ground floor and a large junior ranks club on 

the first floor. The ground floor dining room is 

usually to be occupied by junior ranks – but on 

formal occasions, a part of it can be adapted 

to accommodate banqueting functions for 

the SNCOs. Thus the main amenity aspect 

northwards – over the River Medway dockyards 

– is shared betwen junior ranks and SNCOs. 

This same aspect is also a feature of the SNCO 

external space. The northern aspect of this 

glazed elevation permits views without inviting 

excessive solar gain. This glazed treatment is 

continued through to the eastern elevation to 

express this space in the junior ranks courtyard 

– further accentuated by landscape modelling 

so that this ‘lightweight box’ has a presence 

facing the new JRSLA BR 1016. 

Where the lightweight box concept applies, a 

curtain wall system is proposed using double 

glazed elements and insulated cladding 

spandrel panels/rainscreen cladding panels to 

complement the ‘solidity’ of the other elements 

of the building. This glazed element is relieved 

by deep shadow gaps on its perimeter. 

Landscape 

The courtyard created between the proposed 

BR1025 (SNCO’s SLA) and the proposed 

combined mess BR 1018 is consciously 

rectangular with views of trees as the land falls 

away to the River Medway. Trees in this area 

will require to be removed, leaving a grassed 

and hard paved area with occasional access 

by maintenance vehicles only. Some small 

ornamental trees will adorn the new courtyard 

allowing sufficient space for a marquee. This 

courtyard also terminates on the north edge in 

a retaining wall incorporating service steps for 

maintenance access. 

The junior ranks courtyard terminates on the 

northern face in a series of terraces/steps with 

integral ramps. The materials of the steps and 

terraces will echo brick plinth materials used 

oneachof the JRSLAs and the mess. Formal 

raised beds, and orthogonally arranged court 

of trees, a small multi-use games area and 

an area extended from the junior ranks dining 

room (for outside dining) will promote a busy 

and well used social space – for the barracks. 

The courtyard will also encourage access from 

the south (North Road) via a further formally 

oriented flight of external steps and ramp – 

deliberately separated from the SNCOs 

formal entrance. 

The retaining wall at the foot of the SNCO 

courtyard is proposed to replace the existing 

wall which is noted to be included in the 

Conservation Area Character Area 1. The 

existing retaining wall – which is not of 

architectural or landscape merit – will be 

demolished to allow redevelopment of the 

combined mess. The new wall will have 

more presence and be more in keeping with 

the existing building BR007A and the new 

combined mess and help to tie these two 

buildings together oin a landscape context. 

Appearance 

The solidity of the listed buildings on site is 

echoed on the proposed BR1018 in two ways 

– each expressed differently. This building 

is concieved as a lightweight construction 

with engineered framing system, supported 

on a plinth which ties it to the landscape 

context. This plinth is modelled with corbels 

and pilasters in masonry or brickwork – yellow 

stocks to refer to the existing context. These 

materials extend beyond the building to create 

the retaining structures to each of the new 

courtyards. The lightweight box contains 

the prime functions of the mess – the dining 

rooms, club and serveries. Appended to this 

compact envelope are the service facilities – 

entrance halls, toilets and vertical circulation 

cores. These latter constitute a second ‘solid’ 

element bracing the lightweihgt construction. 

This is proposed to be constructed in masonry 

with different texture and colour. The two 

masonry materials proposed will complement 

the two masonry materials proposed for 

the JRSLAs. 

The structural framing elements on the glazed/ 

clad northern elevation are relieved by shadow 

gaps at the base and top. It is also relieved 

by expressed structural columns which also 

act as vertical brises soleil against late setting 

summer sun. Both the courtyards will include 

steel and timber pergola structures to enhance 

the ‘human’scale ofthe building and provide 

additional shading to the periphery. 

Three ‘pavilions’ are also picked out in a second 

cladding material – the SNCOs entrances (one 

of which includes a casual bar) and the service 

shop alongside the junior ranks entrance. 

These are also identifiable by their trapezoidal 

plan which runs counter to the generally 

orthogonal layout of the mess. This limited 

divergence from the orthogonal deliberately 

closes or opens views onto the respective 

courtyards. 

The roofscape is important and includes a 

butterfly roof – admitting light and ventilation 

to the front and rear of the larger upper floor 

spaces – and passive ventilation stacks/ 

light wells. 

Again, the roof material is proposed to be a 

neutral non-reflective colour. 

BR 1025 – SNCO SLA 

Use 

Considerable sensitivity has been applied 

to the provision of SNCO single living 

accommodation. Calculation of the 

accommodation needs for this rank proves that 

refurbishment of existing accommodation on 

the footprint of this proposal would not provide 

adequate numbers of rooms. Refurbishment 

of the same block was also incapable of 

providing rooms of a size compliant with 

established standards. The SNCOs need to 

be located together – preferably within one 

building – in order to promote a military team 

ethic. This requirement obviated other options 

for provision of new SNCO accommodation 

– which included new blocks in more remote 

parts of the site. RSME preference not to split 

the SNCO accommodation also precluded 

pursuit of larger proposals agglomerated with 

the proposed Combined Mess. 

P22 

Design development sketch of north elevation of BR1018



Such ‘optioneering’ led to the optimum solution 

to provide all the accommodation within 

one new block as proposed on the site of a 

demolished BR 007A. The team advantages 

combine with their proximity to the new mess. 

Scale 

The existing building BR 007A sets a clear 

precedent on the scale of the proposal. The 

new SNCO SLA will be a combination of three 

and foour storey accommodation – as was BR 

007A. The overall height of the proposal will 

not exceed the height of BR 007A. The visibility 

of the new proposal will not be materially 

different when viewed from off-site along 

Dock Road (refer to the Landscape and Visual 

Impact Assessment accompanying 

the application). 

separates – and provides privacy for – the living 

accommodation from the mess. This courtyard 

is designed to accommodate marquees for 

summer events and to provide green open 

space with pleasant views. It contains a 

blend of hard and soft landscape features 

which together provide amenity space and 

practical emergency and maintenance access. 

The retaining wall at the northern end of the 

courtyard will be reconstructed sympathetically 

and informs the materials of both the 

Combined Mess and the BR 1025 proposal. 

To the north west, the land forms fall away 

steeply revealing views over River Medway 

over Dock Road. Existing tree planting on 

this bank screen views from off site of the 

Brompton Barracks buildings generally – these 

will be maintained without change. 

The new block is wider and longer than the 

predecessor but this is successfully mitigated 

by articulation of the NE-SW wing such that 

elevations will not be smaller in presentation. 

Layout 

The proposed layout of this proposed facility 

is constrained on its eastern frontage by the 

creation of an SNCO courtyard as a formal 

landscaped space. The building line on this 

perimeter is maintained at approximately the 

same location as the easternmost edge of BR 

007A. It is constrained on its north western 

edge by the existing access road which cannot 

be realigned due to its topography. The 

proposal runs parallel to this access road. 

The layout also respects views out from the 

listed Officers’ Mess building and is kept to a 

compact footprint in order to affect these views 

as minimally as practicable. 

Landscape 

To the east, the proposal addresses the 

important new SNCO courtyard which 

Late design evolution of BR1025 

P23



Appearance 

With this proposal, a careful balance has been 

achieved between pursuing an appropriate 

appearance in keeping with the BR 1016 and 

BR 1017 JRSLA proposals (which primarily 

address the Conservation Area on the 

parade ground) and a direct response to the 

architecture of the adjacent listed building. 

Although the appearance of the BR 007A 

building is not of particular merit, some aspects 

do pay reverence to its listed building setting. 

Such features include use of yellow stock 

bricks, feature courses and parapet roof details. 

These are included into the proposed BR 

1025 for the same reason. The roof material 

is proposed to be a standing seam metal roof 

which allows a shallower pitch to the existing 

building to be demolished. Fenestration 

follows the same rhythms established for 

the proposed JRSLAs. Similarly, a mixture of 

yellow stock specification will provide a more 

textured plinth and end-pieces to be evident in 

elevation. 

The acute angle derived on plan from the 

SNCO courtyard and the access road is used 

for a prominent main stair well – the primary 

entrance of the building. This feature is 

expressed on the elevations by extending 

the application of the textured appearance 

brickwork, limited use of coloured cladding 

(taking a cue from the oriels provided on the 

JRSLAs) and larger areas of windows and 

glazing. This separated treatment on the 

elevations of the acute angle also refer to the 

‘pavilionesque’ elements in the architecture of 

the proposed Combined Mess building. 

These features allow the building to be seen as 

part of a ‘campus’ created north of the parade 

ground ensemble by the application proposals 

- whilst embedding it appropriately into the 

Listed Building context. 

P24



3. access 

P25



P26

33. Access 

Vehicular and Traffic Access 

The site is secured at the main front gate 

to restrict vehicular access to authorized 

personnel. A side access is used at irregular 

times by authorized personnel. There are no 

proposed changes to the site accesses. 

Car parking provision on site will be reduced 

by the proposals to build upon the car park 

adjacent to BR 012 and BR 007A. This is 

consistent with the proposed reduction in 

numbers attending the site. 

Security policies dictate that cars may not be 

parked within 25m of any building perimeter. 

Traffic access around the site is currently 

organized into established routes – including 

a one way system which allows proper 

access for all vehicles. The proposals include 

realignment of the service road to the north of 

the existing JR Mess in order to allow a larger 

developable footprint for the new combined 

mess. This route will include a reversing 

bay service access to the basement of the 

proposed combined mess. 

The new facilities have been designed to 

provide full emergency vehicle access as 

described in Approved Document B of the 

Building Regulations. Maintenance vehicle 

access is provided for cherry pickers to the 

new buildings. Levels and layouts are designed 

accordingly in the landscape proposals. 

No other changes to the vehicular access 

afforded on site are proposed. 

Inclusive Access 

The new buildings will comply in full with the 

requirements of Approved Document M of the 

Building Regulations. 

The Disability Discrimination Act requires 

provision of adjustments to ensure that 

disabled people have reasonable access to 

the site. The recruitment, employment and 

deployment policies operated by Holdfast 

and MoD ensure that disabled people are not 

unreasonably denied access to the facilities on 

site. Some areas of the site are restricted to 

use by military personnel such that they are not 

covered by DDA. 

The SLAs each have disabled room provision 

on an accessible part of their ground floors. 

The combined mess is fitted with lifts for 

passenger use and each building is amply 

provided with wheelchair accessible toilets, 

reasonable provision of tactile and tonal 

surfaces to aid navigation by people with 

visual impairment. 

Sustainable Transport 

The location of many facilities within the 

Barracks site, and immediately adjacent 

(Service Families Housing, HiVE Community 

Centre, shops, Gymnasium) means the site 

is already highly sustainable. The Holdfast 

Consortium of companies includes ESS who 

would introduce ‘Pay-As-You-Dine’ facilities for 

all ranks which would further reduce off-site 

travel. Coaches are used to bring trainees 

from other MOD site and for social events, 

whilst personnel carriers are used for training 

exercises. 

In terms of travel to work, the proposal will 

see a 7% reduction in staffing overall (from 

759 to 708). There would be an increase in the 

proportion of those who are civilian of some 

86 staff members. The increase in civilian 

employment is mainly a result of specific staff 

positions being transferred to the Consortium 



companies. Military employees now, and 

transferees to the civilian sector, may live off 

site so travel patterns would not necessarily 

change in a material way. Due to rotation of all 

senior staff every 2 years it is not possible to 

prepare a relevant Site Travel Plan currently but 

one could be prepared on occupation of the 

site by the Holdfast project. 

Sustainable transport methods, including 

walking, cycling and car sharing, are already 

available on site. The site is highly accessible 

by public transport, with frequent bus services 

by the site entrance on Wood Street, and 

Gillingham rail station within walking distance. 

Bus services are as follows: 

• Arriva ExpressLine 101 - Every 15 minutes, 

Gillingham-Chatham-Maidstone; 

• Arriva Mainline 182 - Every 10 minutes, 

Chatham-Gillingham-Twydall; 

• 113/114 - Hourly loop service Chatham- 

Gillingham-Hempstead Valley-Chatham 

(114 is the reverse) - hourly, not evenings 

or Sundays; and 

• 156 - Chatham to Rochester (4-5 

departures per day, not Sundays) 

The site is 1.2km (15 minutes’) level walk from 

Gillingham rail station which is served by the 

following services: 

• 4tph (trains per hour) to London Victoria 

via the Medway Towns and 

Bromley South; 

• 2tph to London Charing Cross via Dartford 

and Woolwich Arsenal ; 

• 2tph to Faversham, Canterbury East and 

Dover Priory; and 

P27



• 2tph to Faversham, Margate 

and Ramsgate. 

There are not understood to be any capacity 

shortfalls on the bus and train routes. 

There would be a slight reduction in parking 

available on site due to the choice of some 

of these locations for new buildings. This 

is commensurate with sustainable travel 

objectives and the overall reduction of staffing. 

Parking will remain controlled by a 

permit scheme. 

P28



P29

BROMPTONBARRACKS - Medway Council

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