Military personnel in Cambridgeshire enjoy new accommodation
Service personnel at RAF Wyton, a Joint Forces Command station, in Cambridgeshire are enjoying improved living conditions after the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) delivered a new accommodation block.
Working with industry partner Debut Services Limited, DIO has provided 54 new en-suite bedrooms. Intended for senior non-commissioned officers (SNCOs) from all 3 services at the joint station, the rooms are in a three-storey block, together with several ancillary rooms such as laundry rooms and kitchens.
Lorraine Kerr, DIO Project Manager, said:
“Providing high quality accommodation for the Armed Forces is a DIO priority so we’re delighted to hand over this project, the last in our current programme of works at RAF Wyton. I hope the SNCOs enjoy their new rooms.”
The new accommodation block was largely pre-fabricated with 60 individual modules being built off site. These were then assembled at the base and covered with a brick exterior.
Flight Sergeant Kerry Finlay said:
“My new accommodation has provided me with a really nice space in which I can relax and enjoy a level of independence I haven’t been afforded in the past. I believe the new facilities offer an appropriate standard of living for today’s SNCOs, and allow each the flexibility to adapt their own personal space according to their own circumstances. Personally speaking, the opportunity to have a facility where I can cook for myself and socialise with friends and colleagues might be long overdue but is nevertheless most welcome.”
Wing Commander Ola Fashade, Commanding Officer at RAF Wyton, said:
“The new rooms have been designed to a very high standard, which will provide excellent living environment for our people. I know the SNCOs are very pleased and we are grateful to DIO and their contractors who have delivered this high quality accommodation.”
The construction was part of Project SLAM, a long-term investment in upgrading facilities of Single Living Accommodation for service personnel across the country. The aim of Project SLAM is to deliver modern, high quality, single living accommodation to Armed Forces personnel. In achieving this standard, Servicemen and women will be provided with the living environment needed to help them feel valued. It is also considered essential if the Armed Forces are to retain its highly trained personnel.
The new accommodation also formed part of a larger programme of upgrades and new buildings at RAF Wyton, including four new blocks providing 286 rooms for junior ranks, a new Junior Ranks Mess, new Officers’ Mess SLAM accommodation and a sports pavilion.
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Further information:
Press enquiries to Tony Moran, Senior Communications Officer 0121 311 3879 or email tony.moran572@mod.uk
DIO website: www.gov.uk/dio
Twitter: @mod_dio
Read DIO’s blog: https://insidedio.blog.gov.uk/
Notes to Editors
1) The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) plays a vital role in supporting our Armed Forces by building, maintaining and servicing what the men and women who serve our country need to live, work, train and deploy on operations.
2) DIO is part of the Ministry of Defence (MOD). It is responsible for managing and maintaining land and properties, as well as providing related support services, to meet the current and future needs of the MOD and personnel at home and abroad, and to support current operations.
3) Our work includes supporting operational units by providing and improving single living and service family accommodation; training areas and historic military sites. DIO actively manages these to ensure the needs of Defence are met, value for money is achieved, and its heritage is protected, and to achieve its environmental goals.
About Debut Services
4) Debut Services is a Joint Venture company between Lend Lease and Babcock International Group and was formed in response to the MoD's Prime Contracting Initiative to implement the Egan and Latham principles and drive efficiency and best value across the defence estate. Debut benefits from the proven global strength of Lend Lease, one of the world's largest real estate solutions providers, and Babcock as the UK's leading engineering support services organisation and providers of property management services.
5) In addition to the Regional Prime Contract for the South West, Debut is also successfully managing the Functional Prime Contract to build, refurbish and maintain Single Living Accommodation for HM Armed Forces (Project SLAM).
6) Picture caption – please credit ‘Crown copyright/MOD 2014’:
Flight Sergeant Kerry Finlay relaxes in her new bedroom.
Flight Sergeant Kerry Finlay enjoys the facilities in a new kitchen.
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