Accommodation for over 200 military personnel in Wiltshire is under construction.

Ground was recently broken at Trenchard Lines in Upavon to mark the start of a project that will see four new single living accommodation blocks built with more than 200 bedspaces.

This is part of a “major investment programme” to improve the standards of accommodation across the Army estate.

During the first phase of the development, five old accommodation blocks will be demolished and replaced by 200 modern en-suite bedspaces in four separate buildings, for both junior and senior ranks.

An older building, which currently houses 19 rooms and shared washing facilities, will also be refurbished to provide 21 en-suite bedrooms.

The designs for the new blocks are intended to incorporate feedback from soldiers in order to best meet their current and future living needs.

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A typical single living accommodation blockA typical single living accommodation block (Image: Reds10) The blocks will include fitted furniture, equipment storage, kitchens, and communal space.

Brigadier Pete Quaite OBE, head of Army infra plans, was “delighted” that work had begun.

He 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 our soldiers need and deserve, and to enhancing the environments where they live, work and train.”

Following the installation of the accommodation blocks, work on an Officers’ Mess will begin in 2025 to provide a further 69 bedspaces.

The new buildings will be handed over in phases to enable the timely move-in of personnel, with the entire Upavon project due to be completed in Autumn 2026.

The scheme is being delivered by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), which is also creating thousands of new bedspaces for service personnel across the country as part of the Single Living Accommodation Programme.

A typical single living accommodation blockA typical single living accommodation block (Image: Reds10) Warren Webster, DIO major programmes and projects director, said: “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.”

Construction will be overseen by Reds10, a 3D modular off-site construction specialist.

The firm says sustainability will be a “top priority” in its design approach.