1,000 homes vision for old Cold War base
The Edzell base, close to the Aberdeenshire and Angus border
SET in the heart of the rolling Mearns countryside, it was a former RAF station that served for 37 years as a top secret and crucial part of the US military’s Cold War offensive against the Soviet Union.
But the sprawling Edzell base, close to the Aberdeenshire and Angus border, is now set for a new lease of life as the focus for ambitious plans to create a new village of 1000 homes, as part of a major £250 million redevelopment of the site of the former surveillance facility.
The proposed development could lead to the creation of more than 1,000 jobs during the construction phase alone, scheduled for the next ten to 15 years.
RAF Edzell, originally established in 1913 as a flying school for the RAF, was transformed in 1960 when it was taken over as a base by the US navy, becoming a key component of Nato’s spy network, tracking the movement of Soviet submarines, until the Stars and Stripes were finally lowered at the base in 1997.
The site, once home to 2,000 US servicemen and women, has largely being lying dormant since the American military finally left the base.
But Carnegie Base Services, the family business which now owns the base and the adjoining land, has lodged a masterplan with Aberdeenshire Council to establish a new community, known as New Esk, on part of the 444-ace site. Around 90 people are already employed at a commercial site at the former Edzell base, occupied by around 35 companies. And the proposed community near Brechin would include a new primary school, community hall and local shops.
A spokesman for the developers said: “The proposals for the 444-acre site include some 300 acres for businesses, to try to meet the growing demand.
“Up to 1,000 new homes would also be built, in a bid to meet future housing needs in south Aberdeenshire.”
He added: “The Carnegie family aims to build on the already established business base in the area, with the potential to attract £250m of investment and create over 1,000 new jobs.”
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Wednesday 16 May 2012
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Comments
There are 9 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
StevenPadavana
Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at 04:32 PMI was stationed there with the US Navy 1976-1977. One of the best years of my life and hoping to get back some day - pretty much traveled the country during that year. Kind of funny that what was so Top Secret back then is in the newspapers today.
Andrew
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 09:05 PMI was stationed here from Oct 1976 to Oct 1978. Best People and best duty station ever. I was proud to be in the Navy and Proud to be in Scotland. The land of my forefathers. I miss Edzell, Brechin, Montrose, Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glagow, Thurso....Wow I miss Scotland!!
Tobytoo
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 06:38 PMI remember Edzell well as my brother was a long-term airman and was stationed there for many years and all during WW11 before being posted to other places.
Gordon Hay
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 02:21 PMHope they make sure there are no rare wildflowers or endangered frogs on the land before they spend too much money on their plans.
kateluke
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 11:40 AM#4 Scribes, there was, however, a Royal Flying Corps, which became the RAF in 1918... #3 Stewart in Oz, you are right and not only that; the article is in the Edinburgh and East Fife section of this newspaper! I had to go looking for it after a tip from friends... I well remember 4 July 1976, we took a dozen horses there and offered rides all day, then went back as guests in the evening for brilliant fireworks, barbecue and so on. My mum taught music at the school there and my oldes friend was a secretary after her college...
Scribes
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 10:39 AM"RAF Edzell, originally established in 1913 as a flying school for the RAF..." Except the RAF didn't exist until 1918.
Stewart_in_Oz
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 09:40 AMI was interested in the Geographical description. Has Kincardineshire been amalgamated into either Angus or Aberdeenshire because when I knew the area of Edzell as a Montrosian, it was definitely in Angus and nowhere near Aberdeenshire. I know there were some changes, like introduction of 'Tayside', but I thought that at least some of the counties had reverted to their previous state. Just interested.
Russell Mitchell
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 09:13 AMBrilliant idea but the first purchsers of homes will be very brave indeed as there is a significant risk to them that if the project does not progress to plan they will be left in a luxury home on an industrial estate! The editorial comments could lead one to believe that we no longer track foreign subs - rest assured we do. We just dont need land bases like Edzell and its sister base Guam to do it. Here is a great question - with all the SNP threats to our union would the US Navy risk opening a base in Scotland at present?
Hector the Lessor
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 06:00 AMIf they encourage private building, try and get a site at the entrance to the obligatory fallout shelter. It could give the kids hundreds of square metres as a playground.
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