The consortium set to build and manage a £12bn military training base for the Ministry of Defence in Wales has today applied to build facilities on the site, including a military museum and a church.

Metrix, which wants to open the Defence Training College in St Athan in 2014, has already had outline planning permission for its project granted.

However, it has been consulting with residents over plans to build sports and other leisure facilities on site, and is now seeking approval from the Vale of Glamorgan council as part of “reserved matters”  for consideration.

Evidence that Metrix is pressing ahead with the planning process comes as doubts grow over the project’s future. It is understood that the project is under review by defence secretary Liam Fox, who will deliver his verdict on whether it will continue in October’s strategic defence review.

Outline planning permission for the college was granted by Vale of Glamorgan councillors last September.

The future site covers an area of 280 hectares and will include 12km of roads, an energy centre, accommodation for 3,000 service personnel, offices, workshops and classrooms, as well as shops, health centres, cinemas, churches, swimming pools, a museum, 21 sports pitches and a Hindu temple for the use of Gurkhas and other soldiers.

A spokesman for Metrix said: “The application for approval of reserved matters underscores Metrix UK’s commitment to working closely with its customers and the local community.

“These incredible facilities will deliver powerful benefits for the UK MoD and the people of the Vale of Glamorgan.”

Metrix is a consortium of companies led by QinetiQ and Sodexo which will be deliver military technical training, build and maintain the future Defence Technical College.

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