STORY
A significant milestone has been achieved in the ongoing efforts to enhance living conditions for British Army personnel. A new Single Living Accommodation (SLA) block has been completed at St George’s Barracks in Bicester, providing 72 ensuite single bed spaces for Junior Rank soldiers. Constructed using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), the facility includes kitchen and diner facilities, utility rooms, and furnished communal spaces. The project was delivered by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) in collaboration with off-site construction specialists Reds10 and engineering consultants Arcadis.
The modular, sustainable SLA features solar energy harvesting, air source heat pumps, and a SMART building management system. This system processes data from various sensors and equipment to monitor energy consumption, ensuring the building operates efficiently. At the formal opening of the Junior Ranks block on 24 March, Brigadier Peter Quaite OBE, Head of Infrastructure Plans, Army Basing and Infrastructure, stated:
“As a key part of our long-term investment programme, we are embracing modern methods of construction to enable us to build faster, while providing a better standard of living space for our people and improving the sustainability of our estate. This new, energy-efficient building has been designed using soldier feedback to ensure it meets their specific needs and showcases the impressive standard of accommodation we are committed to delivering.”
Lt Col Gerard Hennigan, Bicester Garrison Commander, added:
“It is excellent to see the result of significant investment at St George’s Barracks to deliver better accommodation for our soldiers and provide modern living facilities that meet their needs. The quality of the bedrooms, common areas, and kitchen areas are impressive, and we look forward to moving soldiers into their new home in the coming weeks.”
Warren Webster, DIO MPP Army Programme Director, commented:
“We are delighted to have completed the latest in a series of new SLA blocks for our armed forces across the country. This new block will provide the army with fantastic homes for junior ranks at St George’s Barracks while utilising sustainability features built into the design from the outset, making the building efficient to run and comfortable to live in.”
Phil Cook, Defence Director at Reds10, said:
“We are proud to support the army’s commitment to improving service personnel accommodation with modern, high-quality, and sustainable living spaces. Through industrialised production, we have delivered a building that not only meets the needs of personnel today but also ensures long-term efficiency and environmental benefits.”
This development is part of the Army’s wider Single Living Accommodation Programme, aiming to modernise and improve the Army estate, ensuring personnel have access to high-quality, sustainable living environments.