Drivers Jonas Deloitte ships out former Navy site for £4.7 million

Property consultants Drivers Jonas Deloitte has sold a former Royal Navy training establishment near Harrogate for £4.7 million on behalf of Defence Estates.

The 20 acre site – which was used to radio train naval officers – has been sold to North Yorkshire County Council.

The Council intends to convert the site, once known as HMS Forest Moor, into a residential school for children and teenagers with special educational needs.

Drivers Jonas Deloitte has acted on behalf of Defence Estates for more than 15 years and has advised it on various land sales across the UK including the disposal of Chelsea Barracks in Central London and RAF Finningley; now Robin Hood Airport near Doncaster.

David Powell, assistant director at Drivers Jonas Deloitte in Leeds, said:
“With banks still reluctant to provide financial backing to many former customers, this deal shows landowners can still achieve good value away from the traditional markets. Importantly, they need the right product and good competition in the form of organisations that do not depend too heavily on the banks.

“While it is a fairly unique property, HMS Forest Moor attracted a great deal of interest from a variety of potential occupiers. In the end it was the County Council, with the necessary requirement and vision, which was in the best position to take the site forward.”

ENDS July 2010