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In 1935 the War Office decided to build three ammunition sub-depots
in underground quarries around Corsham at Monkton Farleigh, Eastlays
Ridge and Tunnel Quarry to guard against attack on our ammunition
stocks by hostile aircraft. Surface buildings were constructed at
Basil Hill at Neston, primarily as a barracks to house the Royal
Engineers constructing the ammunition sub-depots. Living accommodation
was designed to resemble a  monastery
from the air to deter enemy aircraft.
In 2000 the Corsham Development Project (CDP) was established to
help meet the Government’s pledge to provide the Armed Forces
and MoD staff with modern, appropriate facilities, while also achieving
longterm value for money. The CDP would see the bringing together
of personnel currently spread across three MoD sites in Corsham
into one operational facility at Basil Hill, while also preserving
the historically significant Corsham tunnels that started life many
years ago as an underground quarry for Bath Stone. The development
brief was to accommodate 1850 workspaces within approximately 24,000m2
of offices; living quarters for 180 service personnel; sports amenities;
nursery, and retention of existing operational and logistical facilities.
The buildings would also meet the highest standards of energy efficiency
and sustainability.
Construction started in 2008 and by early 2011 Basil Hill - now
known as MOD Corsham - was completed and operational and is now
the Headquarters of Defence Equipment and Support Information systems
and Services Directorate (DISS), and 2(NC) Signal Brigade.
The development underpins the MoD’s commitment to Corsham,
including potential employment opportunities, and underlines the
town’s long, military history, which culminated with the Town
Council giving its first ever Freedom of the Town to “All
Armed Forces Units, Corsham” on 26 June 2010.
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