First building complete under the Army Basing Programme

The construction programme to prepare a new home for troops resettling on Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, under the Army Basing Programme reached a key milestone this week, with the official handover of the first completed building to Larkhill Garrison.

The Officers’ Single Living Accommodation (SLA) was handed over by Aspire Defence and Aspire Defence Capital Works to representatives of Larkhill Garrison on Monday 19 June. It is the first of around 130 new buildings being delivered by Army Basing through the amendment to the 35-year Project/Allenby Connaught (PAC) contract with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO).
Following the announcement in November 2016 by the Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon that over £1.1 billion will be invested in new single living and working accommodation and technical facilities for troops on Salisbury Plain and at Aldershot, construction has been progressing at pace.

The new infrastructure will support forces returning from Germany and relocating within the UK under the Army Basing Programme which aims to bring all military units back from Germany by 2020. The construction programme is on schedule to enable units based in Germany to return to the UK by 2019, resulting in savings to Defence of up to £240 million per year by 2022/23.

The arrival of the first SLA ‘Modular Units’ (bedrooms) took place at Larkhill Garrison in November 2016. Just seven months later, the new build 24-bed space Officer SLA block has now been completed, handed over and is available to be occupied.

In addition to the SLA, new and improved technical, office, catering, retail and leisure facilities are being provided across five garrisons, to ensure soldiers work and live in the best possible environment. Health and education facilities will also be completed outside the barracks for military and civilian use.
The construction programme is being carried out by Aspire Defence Capital Works and once completed the new assets will be maintained under the facilities management services contract held by Aspire Defence Services Limited, until the PAC contract ends in 2041.

Lt Col David Penniall, Deputy Garrison Command said:

“The building is the first of many new buildings at Larkhill under Army Basing – The completion of this 24 man Officers “Z” Standard accommodation is very welcome. The building offers the very latest building enhancements and modern en-suite facilities for all our living in Officers.”

Mark Duddy, ABP Programme Director said:

“It’s exciting to see the handover of the first asset so early after the signing of the contract variation at the end of 2016. This is a brilliant example of how we are investing in infrastructure across the UK. I am delighted with the provision of modern, fit for purpose SLA delivered by our trusted and valued contractors in support of the Army Basing Programme and of our Service personnel.”

Allan Thomson, Chief Executive of Aspire Defence Ltd added:

“We are delighted to have reached this key milestone in our construction programme, validating the confidence placed in us by the MOD to deliver on this major contract and provide a first-rate home for British troops.”