Loncross Barracks near Chertsey in Surrey opened in the mid 1960's at the height of the cold war. The nearby tank testing track and Qinetiq buildings were probably the reason for the building of an MOD barracks in the area. The site closed around 2000 and now sits derelict, its future is undecided however there is talk of it being turned into an asylum centre.
More history from the local council:
1) This has a history of use as a testing site by the MOD and any security measures were in place to provide controlled access for that purpose, not for the protection of the people housed on the site.
Comment: This site was used by the Army Technical Support Agency and thenthe Defence Logistics Organisation. The activities on this site werephysically and functionally separate from the wider DERA site. Indeed Certificates of Existing Lawfulness (RU.02/1414 and RU.04/1297) have been granted for different parts of the wider DERA site as separate planning units.
Building 216 was originally a headquarters for Military Policemen, clerks and then for personnel of the Defence Logistics Organisation.
Building 217 was staff accommodation with males on the ground floor and females on the first floor
Building 218 was staff accommodation for Senior NCO'S, Sergeants and other ranks with dining room, bar and mess
Building 219B was the NAAFI with kitchens, bar and recreational rooms.
Building 220 was the security building at the entrance
There is a security fence around the whole site and it has a separate vehicular access with its own security hut at its entrance. The security fencing was there to protect the buildings and personnel onthis site.
2) It has never been a formal barracks housing an Army unit with security provided by the Army unit with guard duties performed by the Army unit.
Comment:The use as a barracks does not have to be in connection with a fighting unit of the Army. This was a support unit that had its own needs and housing requirements in order for the Army to be effective. The description of the use class C2A is secure residential accommodation. This site was clearly a secure site and used for residential purposes. It therefore clearly falls within the definition ofC2A and within the description of such uses set out in paragraph 5.6 of the report.
When some Officers have visited the site security was provided by armed military personnel
