Investment in new infrastructure at Weeton Barracks is improving living conditions for service personnel while supporting the Army to operate more sustainably.
A new Single Living Accommodation (SLA) block at the Lancashire-based Weeton Barracks is nearing completion and will provide 69 modern en-suite bedspaces specifically designed for junior ranks. Soldiers will move into the block before the end of the year.
The building features communal kitchens, dining areas, utility rooms, storage facilities and lounges on each floor. Advanced sustainable technologies include rooftop solar panels, air source heat pumps and a SMART energy management system, which learns how the building is used so that it can operate as efficiently as possible.
The project has been funded under the Army's SLA Programme and delivered by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), contracting to construction specialists Volumec.
In addition to the SLA, a new solar array has been switched on at Weeton Barracks. More than 1,600 panels installed on surplus land will generate over one third of the site's energy needs, delivering cost savings and reducing its carbon footprint. The installation was funded under the Army's Project Prometheus, an innovative scheme that is delivering solar infrastructure at suitable sites across the Army estate. DIO managed the project delivery, working with contractors Mitie & Custom Solar.
Major General Richard Clements CBE, Director Basing and Infrastructure (front), with representatives from the Army, DIO and Custom Solar (Mitie Group) at the Army's new solar array. MOD Crown Copyright
Major General Richard Clements CBE, Director Basing & Infrastructure, said:
The delivery of new accommodation and technical infrastructure at Weeton Barracks demonstrates our commitment to looking after our people and modernising our estate. These projects will enhance energy resilience, support operational capability, and improve the environments where soldiers live, work and train.
Warren Webster, DIO MPP Army Programme Director said:
We are immensely proud to have delivered these two projects at Weeton Barracks, working in partnership with Volumec for the SLA and Custom Solar, part of Mitie Group for the solar array. The investment into Weeton Barracks will provide junior soldiers with modern, high quality and sustainable living accommodation while meeting a significant proportion of the site's energy needs.
Lt Col Robert Carman, 1st Battalion, Duke of Lancaster's Regiment Commanding Officer, said:
The wellbeing of our soldiers is critical to our capability, and it is excellent to see investment in the barracks to deliver a better standard of living accommodation. The sustainable features on the new block - combined with our new solar 'farm' - will support the operational efficiency of our site.
The MOD is delivering further investment in the North West, building a new office for Defence Business Services staff within Blackpool's Talbot Gateway regeneration project. The 53,000 sq ft facility will accommodate up to 1,100 staff, demonstrating the government's commitment to supporting local economic growth whilst modernising defence infrastructure.
The DBS project is being delivered under the MOD's £5.1 billion Defence Estate Optimisation (DEO) Portfolio, which is creating a more modern and sustainable defence estate. Nationwide, the DEO Portfolio is delivering new and refurbished accommodation for over 40,000 service personnel and their families, plus technical, training and office facilities for more than 64,000 military and civilian personnel.
