Defence estates – from strategy to delivery

As investment in defence infrastructure continues to grow, so too does the conversation surrounding it. At our UKREiiF roundtable, leaders from central government, local and combined authorities, regional partnerships and industry discussed how defence investment can deliver economic and social value alongside enhanced national capability.

My key takeaway was that successful defence estates depend on far more than buildings and funding. Their long-term success relies on the wider places that support them: housing, skills, infrastructure and the strength of local partnerships.

The discussion reinforced that if we want defence investment to succeed, we must think beyond individual assets and focus on creating places capable of sustaining growth.

Defence investment starts with place

One of the strongest themes to emerge was the importance of understanding the unique characteristics of the places that support defence activity.

Barrow was repeatedly highlighted as a compelling example. Peter Anstiss, Chief Executive at Team Barrow, described how the partnership is bringing together government, industry and local organisations to prepare the town for future growth linked to its nationally significant role in submarine design and manufacture.

What stood out was the recognition that, when approached holistically, defence investment can act as a catalyst for wider place transformation. Angela Jones, Director of Thriving Places at Westmorland and Furness Council, highlighted the pressures facing places experiencing defence-led growth, particularly around housing. Her point reflected wider discussion around the need for long-term planning and investment if communities are to grow alongside the industries they support.

The message was clear: defence growth cannot be separated from the places that enable it.

Looking beyond the site boundary

Another important theme was the need to think beyond the perimeter fence.

Peter O'Brien, Executive Director of Placemaking and Growth at Hounslow Council, shared lessons from major infrastructure investment around Heathrow. His contribution underlined an important point: nationally significant assets do not automatically translate into stronger local outcomes.

The greatest opportunities arise when investment is considered through the lens of place. Transport, housing, public realm and skills all influence whether economic benefits extend beyond the asset itself.

Andrew Bannister, National Key Account Manager at Scape, captured this well when he warned against returning to a "build the factory and they will come" mindset. Instead, he argued that successful growth depends on creating the social infrastructure and place strategy needed to build resilient communities capable of adapting and thriving through change.

Places hosting defence activity increasingly compete for talented people, making quality of life an important factor in long-term success. Defence growth should therefore be viewed as a placemaking challenge as much as an employment challenge.

Aligning national and local priorities

A recurring theme throughout the discussion was the need for stronger alignment between national ambition and local delivery.

Judith Barker, Executive Director for Place and Economy at the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, highlighted the challenge many places face in supporting multiple growth sectors simultaneously, often without sufficient clarity around long-term priorities.

Her comments reflected a wider concern shared around the table. Local authorities need greater confidence that local growth plans align with national objectives and that investment is being directed towards agreed outcomes.

For me, this reinforced the importance of joined-up thinking across national, regional and local government. Delivering defence growth at scale will require clear priorities, coordinated investment and a shared understanding of where the greatest opportunities lie.

Creating the conditions for delivery

While strategy remains important, the conversation frequently returned to the practical conditions needed to unlock delivery.

Russell Frith, Inward Investment Manager at Wiltshire Council, highlighted the value of responsive planning systems that provide certainty and give organisations confidence to invest.

Victoria Moloney, Head of Economy and Regeneration at Wiltshire Council, also drew attention to the specialist businesses that underpin the UK's defence capability but are often overlooked despite their critical role in supporting national resilience.

Taken together, these conversations suggested that defence investment should be viewed as an ecosystem. Estates, infrastructure, housing, skills, local economies and supply chains are all interconnected.

From my perspective, this is why a programme-led approach is so important. Successful defence investment is not about delivering isolated projects; it is about creating the conditions that enable long-term capability, resilience and growth.

A shared responsibility

In closing, Mike Green, Chief Executive of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), spoke about the scale of the opportunity facing the sector and the need for government, industry and delivery partners to work differently to meet future requirements. He emphasised the importance of speed, collaboration and a systems-based approach that mirrors success seen in places like Barrow.

His comments echoed a theme that ran throughout the discussion: success will depend on partnership. Whether delivering infrastructure, creating housing, investing in skills or strengthening supply chains, no single organisation can achieve these ambitions alone.

What encouraged me most was the level of consensus around the table. There was a clear recognition that defence investment succeeds when it is viewed not as a series of projects, but as an opportunity to strengthen whole places.

If government, industry and local partners can align investment in housing, skills, infrastructure and community assets, defence spending has the potential to strengthen both national resilience and the long-term prosperity of the communities that support it.