<h3>History of the site</h3><p>In 1940, on the site where the Rail Innovation Centre exists today, the Ministry of Defence established the Central Engineer Depot to store a range of equipment during the Second World War, as well as creating training facilities and workshops. The Royal Engineers continued to use the site for storage and supply until 1999.&nbsp;</p>

<p>From 1948 until 1974 the site housed Polish Servicemen as part of a resettlement programme, and while the accommodation was closed in 1974, a chapel made for the Polish Community remained in use until 1989.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>In 2004 St Modwen acquired the facility from the Defence Estates and much of the former&nbsp;Engineer Depot became the new community of Meon Vale. In 2021 Porterbrook acquired the rail facility, occupying 135 acres of the original depot.</p>