The entrance of the Ministry of Defence base in Boscombe Down has been deemed “no longer appropriate for the day-to-day operations” of the site, due to “security reasons.”

A new entrance has been approved off Stockport Road in the hope it will “mitigate the security concerns whilst also looking to reduce congestion at the main gate.”

The Amesbury base, which is approximately 8 miles north of Salisbury, is a military aircraft testing site and the RAF Base Support Squadron provides administrative support to the military lodger units.

Wiltshire Times: The site first opened as Royal Flying Corps Redhouse Farm in 1917.The site first opened as Royal Flying Corps Redhouse Farm in 1917. (Image: Google)
The construction of the new entrance, which has been given the go-ahead by Wiltshire Council, will include 275 sqm of office space within a single-storey reception building.

A security guard kiosk will allow for the control and monitoring of visitors to the base.

The application states: “Due to the security requirements at Boscombe Down, there is a need for new secure fencing to the perimeter of the new main entrance area.

“To achieve this, it is proposed a 3.5m high weldmesh wire fence with cranked topper and razor wire on top.”

The design of the proposed main building is said to take “inspiration from aviation and flight through the introduction of a cantilevering wing acting as a canopy around the envelope providing solar shading and weather protection for visitors.”