30 Oct 09

The 5,000th module was lifted into place recently at Larkhill Garrison which creates the 93rd junior ranks single living accommodation (JRSLA) block for Project Allenby/Connaught, the MoD’s largest infrastructure Private Finance Initiative being delivered by Aspire Defence.  Supply chain partner, Corus Living Solutions (CLS), supply the modules for these accommodation blocks that now house almost 4,000 soldiers across the Salisbury Plain and in Aldershot.

The blocks contain 36 single en-suite bedrooms, are three-stories high and configured into six flats each with six bedrooms, a communal lounge, kitchen/utility and a storage area, totalling 54 modules. Designed and manufactured by CLS based in Shotton, North Wales, each unit comes as a fully factory fitted-out steel-framed module. The bedroom modules have a built-in en-suite shower room and come complete with doors, windows, wiring, plumbing, carpet and furniture all fitted to exacting MoD standards. Each module is manufactured with sound proofing, thermal insulation and air tightness that meets and exceeds building regulations and helps Aspire Defence to achieve the BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating for the building.  The 5,000th module forms the corner bedroom on the first floor of this latest single living accommodation block which is just one of the 146 JRSLA blocks to be delivered during the eight year construction programme.

Project Allenby/Connaught is making soldiers’ lives better for nearly 19,000 soldiers (20% of the British Army) by providing modern, high quality, fully serviced, purpose-built living and working accommodation across the garrisons on Salisbury Plain and in Aldershot and is being delivered by Aspire Defence, a joint venture between Carillion and KBR.

Richard Tindal, Project Manager for Aspire Defence Capital Works said, “Corus Living Solutions bring consistent factory produced quality and reliability to the construction process. This is particularly important on a project such as Allenby/Connaught where a consistent approach is required across the various garrisons. The CLS team have been working on the project for three years and are well rehearsed in the process of erecting the modules. It takes them only five days to install all 54 modules, at which time the building is handed over to the trades that follow-on. Just 14 weeks after installation of the first modules the building is ready for occupation. The installation team have a great safety record having been previous winners of the ADCW annual safety award and several monthly awards.”

Richard Jones, General Manager of Corus Living Solutions comments, "The delivery of the 5,000th module to the Larkhill site is a significant milestone for CLS. We are proud to work in partnership with Aspire Defence for Project Allenby/Connaught in making soldiers' lives better. We continue to strive to reliably deliver a quality product from the factory and speed of build on site to support the demanding construction programme.

CLS has also maintained an exemplary health and safety record from our factory to Aspire Defence sites of more than 950 days without a lost time injury", adds Richard.