PROPOSALS to build thousands of new homes on a former RAF airfield are to set to gather pace following the announcement of a new partnership between two government departments.

Homes England is set to work closely with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) on a national scheme which will aim to deliver 10,000 new houses across seven different sites belonging to the Ministry of Defence.

Wethersfield Airfield in Hedingham Road is one of the sites included in the deal, with previous estimations suggesting 4,850 homes could be built on the land.

The airfield will remain in the ownership of the MoD while Homes England prepares the site for development and works with experts on planning applications.

DIO, which is a branch of the MoD, will meanwhile be in charge of the “investment with governance” side of the scheme.

A memorandum of understanding has now been signed by both organisations to confirm the partnership and “speed up the process”.

DIO chief exec Graham Dalton, chief executive of DIO, says the deal will maximise the value of all seven sites.

He said: “We are pleased to be entering into this partnership with Homes England for the benefit of local communities.

“The combined expertise will ensure sites no longer needed for defence can be developed into much needed housing while delivering value for money.”

Homes England chief executive Nick Walkley added: “This partnership provides another great opportunity to intervene in the market – and the sites will contribute towards the 300,000 homes needed each year to meet the growing demand.

“We are pleased to be using our skills and resource to work closely with DIO on the delivery of these brownfield sites.”

It was originally understood the MoD would sell its airfield in Wethersfield before work started on developing the land.

The scheme forms part of the MoD’s defence estate optimisation programme, which will see its estate reduced by roughly 30 per cent.

Though it is expected the site will be turned into new housing, Braintree Council has previously suggested the airfield could be home to a new ‘mega prison’.

Council bosses argued the proposal, which was put forward in February 2017, could create more than 1,000 jobs and would help pump millions of pounds into the district’s economy.

No response was received to the council’s suggestion.