<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 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>