Modular construction specialist Reds10 has commenced the construction of more than 200 new bed spaces for army personnel in Upavon.
The project is being delivered by Reds10 on behalf of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) through the army’s single living accommodation (SLA) Programme, which is investing £1.4bn over 10 years to support the modernisation of the army estate and provide circa 8,500 new bed spaces.
In the first phase of the Upavon project, five old accommodation blocks will be demolished and replaced by 200 modern ensuite bed spaces in four separate buildings. An older building will also be refurbished to provide 21 ensuite bedrooms.
A minimum of 85% of the new accommodation will be manufactured at Reds10’s MMC factory in Driffield, East Yorkshire, before being transported to Upavon to be assembled on site.
In addition to the SLA blocks, construction of a new officers’ mess at Upavon will commence in 2025 to provide a further 69 bed spaces. All the buildings will be handed over in phases with the entire project due to complete in autumn 2026.
Matt Bennion, CEO for Reds10, said: “This latest groundbreaking event showcases the progress we are making in the single living accommodation project alongside the army and DIO. Building on our other successful projects at Imjin Barracks and RMA Sandhurst, these state-of-the-art buildings will deliver sustainable, high-quality and cost-effective new accommodation for our armed forces personnel, demonstrating the benefits of MMC for both occupants and the defence estate.”
Warren Webster, major programmes and projects (army) director at the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, added: “[This is] a momentous occasion for Trenchard Lines. Major infrastructure upgrade is overdue on this historically important site, so we are delighted to have reached this point. The army’s programme of single living accommodation upgrade was initiated in 2021 and Trenchard is the ninth project to start construction. A fantastic collaboration with our army colleagues to achieve real progress for the benefit of our service personnel.”
Brigadier Pete Quaite OBE, head of army infra plans, said: “I am delighted to see the start of construction works at Upavon to deliver modern, fit-for-purpose, high quality accommodation for our people. The significant investment underway at this site demonstrates our ongoing commitment to delivering the facilities that soldiers need and deserve, and to enhancing the environments in which they live, work and train.”
