UKHO, which put the construction of the 9,000sqm facility out to tender on 14 February, expects to relocate its 130 print staff and fleet of litho and inkjet kit to the new site by autumn 2010.

Media manager Tamsin Hodge said the existing Taunton-based plant "handles 400 to 450 chart printings per week" and publications averaging "400,000 sheets per week printed as imposed 32pp A4". It also rolls out short runs and large-format inkjet work.

She added: "The print works is based in a building constructed in 1939, which no longer supports efficient production."

UKHO will also invest in a new four-colour A0-format litho press to replace an existing machine closer to the time.

Hodge could not disclose further "commercially sensitive" information "due to security reasons and MoD policy".