[2] The Royal William Victualling Yard was built in the early 19th century and is one of the country's most architecturally significant groups of maritime buildings, all Grade I listed.

Development of the Yard was the single largest aspect of the corporation's remit, and the improvement of its poor road access was also important, as was the provision of sufficient car parking.

The Mount Batten site had been used by the Royal Air Force until 1992, and although a large part was already designated as a scheduled monument, opportunity was seen for some residential and leisure development.

[10] Following a spell during which David Woodhall was acting chief executive, Collinson was formally replaced in early 1996 by Geoff Timbrell who had been the head of property at the London Docklands Development Corporation.

[12] A year later, the corporation announced that MEPC plc, at the time the country's third largest property development company, had submitted a planning proposal for the Royal William Yard to include a 120,000 sq ft factory outlet retail centre based on its successful Clarks Village in Somerset.

Following the winding-up of the corporation, responsibility for the Royal William Victualling Yard devolved to the South West of England Regional Development Agency.

[19] At Mount Batten, the corporation built an access road costing £2m and redeveloped the headland with car parking, a safe public space with toilet facilities and an amphitheatre.