<b>Shoebury Garrison, Essex, by Gladedale Homes of Epsom, Surrey</b><p></p><p><br> </p><p><b><b>Jeremy Gates visits an Essex development on the site of a weapon testing facility and finds that the developer&amp;’s &amp;“two-speed&amp;” approach to the scheme is paying dividends</b><br><b></b></b><br>Builders who consult the map to study the northern shore of the Thames Estuary above Southend-on-Sea may receive a disconcerting message. &amp;“Danger Area&amp;” says The Reader&amp;’s Digest Touring Guide to Britain.</p><p><b><b>Testing times</b></b><br>Despite the cartographers, Ross Brodie of Gladedale recalls no lack of enthusiasm when the Ministry of Defence finally closed down the ancient garrison site at Shoeburyness in 1997 and looked around for other uses. Between 1850 and 1997, guns and guided missiles were tested here and the site - in its most active years - housed more than 2,500 people.</p><p>Although the Ministry of Defence has retained the right to use the Thames foreshore on four occasions a year, the 182-acre site eventually reached the market in November 1999.</p><p>The selection process was all over in barely four months. Gladedale made the submission which appealed most to Defence Estates and Southend Council. </p><p>Says Brodie: &amp;“We have a good track record with heritage sites, including the Royal Ordnance Depot in Northamptonshire. And we have proved our mettle …