24 Jun 09

A Senior Non-Commissioned Officers’ single living accommodation block will become the 200th building to be accepted into service by the Ministry of Defence under Project Allenby/Connaught – the 35 year contract through which Aspire Defence, a joint venture between KBR and Carillion, is replacing and improving Army living and working accommodation across the garrisons of Salisbury Plain and Aldershot.

The building, dating back to the early 1970s and located in Picton Barracks, Bulford, has been substantially refurbished to bring it up to 21st century standards with former two and three-man rooms converted into 29 single en-suite rooms with modern finishes, furniture and fittings.  Gone are the communal washrooms which have been converted into utility rooms, baggage stores and living-out changing facilities.  This newly refurbished accommodation block will be occupied by members of the Sergeants’ Mess for 4 Military Intelligence Battalion. 

The handover marks a significant milestone for Aspire Defence and the Ministry of Defence.  In a little over three years 200 buildings including living accommodation, restaurants, regimental headquarters, messes, armouries, stores and leisure facilities have been built or refurbished, with on average, more than one new building being completed each week. 

Once handed over into service they are maintained by Aspire Defence Services Limited which provides a very broad range of services: from technical stores management to tailoring of uniforms, from the provision of transport to catering – in fact just about everything needed to run a military garrison other than the physical security and guarding.  These services will continue to be delivered for the full 35 year term of the contract. 

These improvements are helping to make soldiers’ lives better by creating a modern living and working environment on the garrisons.

Doug Weidner, the MoD’s Project Manager, commented that, “To deliver 200 buildings in just over three years, on time and in some cases ahead of schedule, is a great credit to all those involved with this landmark project, which really is making soldiers’ lives better. The MoD and Aspire Defence set out to provide, on average, one building a week, and here we are delivering on that commitment and indeed exceeding it.”

Peter Smart, Chief Executive, Aspire Defence said, “This is an important achievement in what is a continuing success story.  With 200 buildings delivered, we now have close to 3,600 soldiers living in the new accommodation. That means a step change to the quality of life for those people and a real sense of satisfaction for all of those in Aspire Defence and the MoD who have worked so hard to bring this about.” 

In all, in excess of 540 new and refurbished buildings, including 105 in Bulford, will be delivered and serviced under Project Allenby/Connaught, creating campus-style communities with high quality accommodation, amenities and services for nearly 19,000 soldiers – 20% of the British Army.

Aspire Defence continues to manage the changes, carrying out demolition and construction on numerous sites across the garrisons often working alongside the Army as they continue their everyday activities.  Diggers and dumper trucks can often be seen next to tanks, horses and soldiers every day operating in a safe and considerate environment.