A fresh start for HMS Daedalus
HMS Daedalus can once again be a crucial part of Lee-on-the-Solent, offering a link to its military history, and providing a world-class leisure destination celebrating 100 years of innovation and ingenuity.
Established for seaplane training in 1917 and as the founding base of the Fleet Air Arm, it quickly became a prominent military base and airfield, playing a crucial role in WW2 – most notably as the busiest airfield on D-Day.
The site became the home of The Inter Service Hovercraft Trials Unit in 1962, which marked the beginning of a long relationship between Daedalus and this great British invention.
Throughout its active life, HMS Daedalus was home and workplace to thousands, the engine of an entire community and a point of pride for the nation.
The development will also bring employment and training opportunities, new and refurbished homes, fresh public spaces and additional access to this closed-off site.
Homes England – the Government’s regeneration agency – built roads and infrastructure to promote investment, and in March 2022, ran an open competition to seek proposals to redevelop the site. Daedalus Development Company, a partnership between Murray Twohig, Patron Capital and Orwell Real Estate was selected to oversee the site’s comprehensive redevelopment, based on the group’s experience, capability and vision. The project has been realised through a successful partnership with several local community groups and the council.
HMS Daedalus can once again be a crucial part of Lee-on-the-Solent, offering a link to its military history, and providing a world-class leisure destination celebrating 100 years of innovation and ingenuity.
The ambition is to create a complete community, with the provision of circa 270 new homes, and the refurbishment of the existing heritage buildings for a further 76 homes.
Daedalus Waterfront is actively supporting the museum, including funding a business plan to promote growth, leveraging our network to bring supporters, inputting creative ideas and providing financial support to help secure full funding.
The development team’s vision includes a commitment to strong ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) principles. We plan to implement several initiatives to remain in step with, and where possible, exceed regulations.
The development will meet and grow local demand for small, medium and mid-sized industrial units, acting as a catalyst for the wider development.
The proposals have been designed to meet the needs of a modern community, where people can work effectively from home when it is possible to do so while also delivering an attractive environment to support the on-site employees.
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