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Dstl: Buildings

Asked by Ben Obese-JectyConservativeMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 8 September 2026UIN 22836

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Ministry of Defence annual report and accounts 2025 to 2026, Losses, if he will provide further information on the £6,249,000 constructive loss in relation to the Porton Down building demolition.

Answered by Ministry of Defence

The £6.249 million constructive loss relates to the impairment of the net book value of a number of unused buildings at Porton Down that were approved for demolition before the end of their useful economic lives.

The demolitions create an opportunity to release around 9000m² of immediately developable brownfield space, otherwise in short supply at Porton Down due to its general topography and legal protections afforded to much of the land area.

This space is required for planned investment in critical Defence Science and Technology infrastructure, including the construction of the new National Biosecurity Centre.

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