Barracks school plan criticised as images revealed

Concerns have been raised over the viability of the plans to build a school at Invicta Barracks

Serious viability concerns for building a school on the site of an army barracks have been raised after images of how it could look were revealed.

The school is planned for Invicta Barracks, in Maidstone, which is set to be sold by the Ministry of Defence in 2029 to make way for 1,300 homes.

The 115 acre (47 hectares) barracks is one of dozens earmarked by the government to “release value from surplus land” and “maximise property”.

But a report commissioned jointly by Kent County Council (KCC) and Keir Construction has highlighted constraints and “high risk” factors about the site's suitability.

'Inappropriate' shape

The facility would be for children aged four to 18, and cost between £48m and £60m, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

But critics have said the land is the wrong shape and dimension to accommodate a school.

The report states: “An analysis of the whole site was carried out and a number of high risk items and unknowns, particularly the woodland area, restricts any conclusive recommendations for this site’s viability."

Councillor Ian Chittenden, of KCC, said: "There are so many reasons why the site is inappropriate. It is on a gradient and is generally not the right shape.”

He added that he was concerned by additional strain on public services in the area and that he favoured a development of 600 homes.

Councillor Ian Chittenden said the shape of the site was not appropriate for a school

Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) wants to include the site in its latest local plan to keep up with government housing targets.

Councillor Clive English, vice chairman of planning at MBC, said: “The issue of whether the school can be delivered on the land there is a major part of what the planning inspector says has to be delivered. It’s a bit of a problem.”

The report goes before the KCC planning applications committee on Wednesday.

MBC will consider the Invicta Barracks proposal for its local plan on the same day.