| MOD Donnington | |
|---|---|
| Donnington, Telford,Shropshire in England | |
 Entrance to Venning Barracks | |
 | |
| Site information | |
| Type | Barracks Logistics centre |
| Owner | Ministry of Defence |
| Location | |
  MOD Donnington Shown within Shropshire | |
| Coordinates | 52°43′19″N2°26′39″W / 52.72182°N 2.44415°W /52.72182; -2.44415 |
| Site history | |
| In use | 1936–Present 2017–Present (Defence Fulfilment Centre) |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | 174 Provost Company, RMP |
MOD Donnington is aMinistry of Defence site that consists of aBritish Army barracks and the Defence Fulfilment Centre, and is situated to the north ofDonnington, Telford,Shropshire.
The site was chosen in 1936 as one of a number of less vulnerable locations for storing ordnance and other military equipment previously kept at London'sWoolwich Arsenal. This was designed to provide employment in what was then a depressed area, following the closure of theLilleshall Company's New Yard engineering works inSt George's several years earlier.[1]
Development from greenfield site begun in 1939, during 1940 the depot was established and at the end of the yearBrigadier Charles Esmond de Wolff was appointed commandant and garrison commander. During 1941–1942, the depot increased significantly in size, and at the end of 1941, 9,600 all ranks worked on the site. Brigadier de Wolff also convinced Wellington District Council to build housing for the civilian staff, many of whom had moved from Woolwich. Eventually 1,500 houses were built outside the COD.[2]
By 1980, COD Donnington (along withCOD Bicester) was one of just two remaining Central Ordnance Depots overseen by theRoyal Army Ordnance Corps; nevertheless, in the 1970s and 80s, it grew to be one of the largest military store complexes in Europe.[3] It remains in use as a storage depot, although the complex was scaled back following two serious fires (in 1983 and 1988).[4]
At the turn of the millennium, further investment took place as Parsons Barracks (named after Major-GeneralSir Harold Parsons) and Venning Barracks (named after GeneralSir Walter Venning) were developed.[5]
The base housed theHistoric Weapons Collection until it moved toMaldon, Essex in 2010.[6]
In March 2014, there was reason for local optimism that MoD Donnington would once more be radically expanded, with another 500 to 700 jobs being added to the 1,000 jobs that MoD Donnington then currently required.[7] The expansion plans were approved early that month.[8]
In 2015, Donnington was selected as the site for a new 'Defence Fulfilment Centre' for the newly privatised Logistics, Commodities and Services element ofDefence Equipment and Support. The new office and warehouse buildings were built alongside the formerDefence Storage Distribution Centre on the site and opened in early 2017.[9][10]
In November 2014, Venning Barracks became headquarters of the newly-formed11th Signal Brigade and Headquarters West Midlands, formed by the amalgamation of11th Signal Brigade who were already based here since 1992, and the hithertoShrewsbury-headquartered143rd (West Midlands) Regional Brigade.[11]
In September 2016, it was announced Parsons and Venning Barracks were among 13 sites named by theMinistry of Defence for future disposal.[12]
The Defence Fulfilment Centre (DFC)[13] is owned by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and operated byDefence Equipment and Support (DE&S), the procurement arm of the MOD. The DFC ensures kit and equipment reaches theBritish Armed Forces.[14] The 860,000 sq ft facility consists of two warehouses and a support building, and also contains an industrial-sized fridge specifically for medicines which plays a crucial role in getting medicines to personnel.[15]
During theCOVID-19 pandemic, over 6,800 ventilators were distributed from the DFC. The DFC also enabled British military personnel to deliver Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and vaccines to hospitals.[15]
In 2022, the DFC supplied theUkrainian Army with 84,000 surplusMk 7 helmets.[16]
In November 2016, the Ministry of Defence announced that the Parsons and Venning Barracks sites would close, with an "Estimated Date of Disposal" in 2020.[17] This was later extended to 2030.[18]