First Homes Handed Over in Ludgershall
The Army Basing Programme has reached an important milestone with the completion and handover of the first Service Family Accommodation (SFA) for families moving to Wiltshire in 2019.
(L – R): Air Commodore Wendy Rothery, Head of DIO Accommodation, Major General Richard Wardlaw, Director Basing and Infrastructure who is the Senior Responsible Owner for the ABP, Baroness Jane Scott, Wiltshire Council Leader, John Leary, Lovell Major Projects Director, Mark Duddy, ABP Programme Director. MOD Crown Copyright.
With the provision of SFA a critical construction activity to enable the return of soldiers from Germany significant progress has been made since the contract award to Lovell Partnerships Ltd in November 2017 with the homes being constructed in unprecedented industry timescales.
To mark the first of 917 houses being delivered under the Army Basing Programme (ABP), which are being built across three sites in Ludgershall (242 homes), Bulford (225 homes) and Larkhill (450 homes), a ribbon cutting event was held on 7 February 2019 at The Plumer Estate, Ludgershall.
Attending the event were Major General Richard Wardlaw, Director Basing and Infrastructure who is the Senior Responsible Owner for the ABP, Baroness Jane Scott, Wiltshire Council Leader, Air Commodore Wendy Rothery, Head of DIO Accommodation, Mark Duddy, ABP Programme Director and John Leary, Lovell Major Projects Director.
Speaking afterwards Major General Wardlaw said:
I have really enjoyed being part of the event today. It was a privilege to showcase the delivery of these brand new modern homes that will allow our Service families to live in first-class facilities. The completion and handover of these homes since contract award is a significant achievement for the Army Basing Programme and will benefit our families across Salisbury Plain.
It is also testament to the excellent collaborative working partnership between the ABP, Wiltshire Council, DIO and our trusted and valued contractor Lovell. Team work is at the heart of the Army Basing Programme and enables successes like this to take place.
I hope the families moving from Germany and within the UK this summer enjoy these properties for many years to come.
Baroness Scott, OBE, Leader of Wiltshire Council said:
I’m delighted to officially open this house which is a fine example of where our Service Personnel will be making their home in Wiltshire.
Since the programme was announced in 2013 we have worked with our partners to prepare the way for their return. We have worked closely together to ensure as well as sufficient homes we will have the right infrastructure in place, enough school places and health and leisure facilities.
We value the contribution the Army makes to our county and we know they will receive a warm welcome when they arrive and make their home here.
Minister for Defence People and Veterans Tobias Ellwood said:
The completion of this work shows the importance we place on investing in the Defence estate and providing good accommodation for our service families.
I’d like to congratulate all those involved in delivering this crucial project, which will allow for the smooth relocation of service personnel and their families from Germany.
In addition to these new homes there has been major investment ‘behind the wire’ with the provision of Single Living Accommodation, new and improved technical, office, catering, retail and leisure facilities to ensure our soldiers live, work and train in the best possible environment.