The MOD is investing hundreds of millions of pounds in
developing HM Naval Base Clyde as the Royal Navy
Submarine Centre of Specialisation.
This will see all UK attack submarines based in Argyll
and Bute by 2020, and the eventual arrival of the
Dreadnought class of ballistic submarines.
The development is expected to increase the number of
personnel at HMNB Clyde to an eventual population of
8,200, with many choosing to live in the area.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed today will
see the signatories work together in delivering
infrastructure and opportunities for Royal Navy families
and local people to live, work and prosper together.
Witnessing the signing was Secretary of State for
Scotland , who said:
The UK’s entire submarine fleet will be based at
Faslane by 2020. This will reinforce Scotland’s vital
role in protecting our country, and guarantee skilled,
secure jobs on the Clyde for years to come.
We must ensure this investment in the base is also a
catalyst for growth and regeneration in the wider
community. Today’s agreement will deliver new housing
and improved infrastructure, ensuring people in Argyll
and Bute benefit directly from hosting the base.
Minister for Defence Veterans, Reserves and Personnel
, said:
This agreement ensures the investment we are making to
upgrade HMNB Clyde, as part of the £1.7bn we are
spending to improve military bases in Scotland, will
not only help provide our people and their families
with more stability and a better environment to work
in, but will also help transform the local area,
providing skilled jobs and better infrastructure.
Councillor Dick Walsh, Leader of Argyll and Bute Council
and Chair of the Argyll and Bute Community Planning
Partnership, said:
This agreement is about making the development of HMNB
Clyde work for Navy personnel, their families and the
communities in Argyll they will be joining. It’s about
delivering opportunities for new residents and local
people to build happy, prosperous lives together.
Helensburgh and its surrounding areas offer great
benefits as a place to live, work and visit, and we
very much look forward to welcoming new Navy friends
and neighbours.
Work will focus on key themes which are set out in a
Strategic Delivery and Development Framework (SDDF) and
include education, economy, community facilities,
communication, transportation and housing.
Naval Base Commander, Commodore Mark Gayfer, said:
The Royal Navy is keen to ensure that the local
community better understands what it brings to Argyll
and Bute.
There are tremendous opportunities for mutual benefit,
such as our redevelopment of the Drumfork Club in
Helensburgh, building new sports facilities and the UK
Government £5m of support for the Council’s waterfront
redevelopment.
Through its redevelopment HMNB Clyde will grow its staff
numbers from 6,800 today to an eventual population of
8,200. The construction phases are expected to support a
further 1,000 contractor jobs.
Work on delivering benefits for new Navy families and
Argyll communities is already in progress, for example:
-
Economy and regeneration: On 18 January 17, Argyll
and Bute Council and HMNB Clyde held the first joint
economic forum in Helensburgh. Local businesses were
invited to hear about the tremendous opportunities
available from the expansion of the Naval Base.
Following the event the Council is collating findings
and developing a plan of action to take forward.
-
Housing and Accommodation: The MOD and Council are
working with private and social housing sectors to
develop options for choice in the housing market.
-
Education and training. Argyll and Bute Council has
created the role of Service Pupil Adviser to provide
advice and support for the large numbers of Armed
Forces children in the Helensburgh and Lomond area.
This temporary post is funded by the MOD Education
Support Fund.
-
The MOD owned Drumfork Club, situated in Churchill
Estate in Helensburgh, is currently being renovated
and due to be re-opened mid-2018. The refreshed
facility will be open to the entire community and
feature an area for registered childcare provision
and five multi-purpose function rooms which can be
used for organised and semi-organised activities by
local community groups and organisations.
-
Although many of the Royal Navy facilities in the
area have been put in place for use by service
personnel, base workers, and their families, the
facilities are also made available on a regular basis
to local community groups and organisations.
-
Communications and engagement. The MOD and Argyll and
Bute Council have produced an Armed Forces and
Veterans’ brochure which will provide information on
Argyll and Bute and the various organisations and
services available to support the Armed Forces
community and their families.
