Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the timeline is for implementing the Government’s Forces First approach for new homes built on surplus Ministry of Defence land, and whether any such sites are planned in Wiltshire.

The Government’s Forces First approach will apply to a proportion of new homes on selected surplus Defence sites, agreed between the Ministry of Defence (MOD), the local authority and the developer based on demand and site viability.

This will increase the number of Service Family Accommodation through MOD acquisition of high-quality new build properties developed on surplus Defence sites, where these are needed. This ensures military families benefit directly from the construction taking place on former military land, creating investment and improvement.

Final plans for construction are pending, so any future military housing in Wiltshire cannot yet be confirmed. Priority access to selected sites will be agreed with local authorities and developers to support Service personnel and national housebuilding targets.