Investment in Carbon Efficient Accommodation

Soldiers who use Salisbury Plain and Nesscliff Training areas are set to be the first to benefit from new carbon-efficient accommodation, which is being delivered as part of the £45 million Net Carbon Accommodation Programme (NetCAP).

The programme is being part-funded by money from a £200 million investment to help improve Armed Forces accommodation, which was announced by the UK Defence Secretary in summer 2020.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is investing more than £35 million of this funding in addition to funding from the British Army, into this nationwide programme, which aims to improve facilities for troops when they are training away from their permanent barracks.

There will be 38 new carbon efficient accommodation blocks which will provide more than 1,700 bed spaces installed across the UK Defence Training Estate by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO). They will be working with industry partner, Landmarc Support Services and its contractor, Reds10.

The remainder of the £200 million investment is being spent on Service Family Accommodation and training accommodation at Longmoor Training Camp, and improvements to Single Living Accommodation in Army barracks, RAF bases and Naval establishments.

Westdown Camp on Salisbury Plain was the first to receive the new accommodation. The modern facility has an A-rated Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), just 12 points from achieving net zero, thanks to air source pumps and rooftop solar panels. This prototype was further improved on for three new accommodation blocks at the second site, Nesscliff Training Area in Shropshire, which have an EPC rating of -5. This means the buildings generate power for the site, reducing electricity costs.

All accommodation is being designed and constructed offsite by modular building specialists Reds10 before being transported to site for assembly and installation.

Brigadier Jonathan Bartholomew, DIO’s Head of the Overseas and Training Region, said: “DIO supports our Armed Forces by providing what they need to live, work and train. Working closely with our industry partner, Landmarc, and Reds10 we are proud to have delivered the first new accommodation blocks on time and during the current climate. These new buildings are modern, flexible and efficient and will support troops on exercise, providing them with the high-quality accommodation that they expect and deserve.”

Mark Neill, Managing Director at Landmarc, said: “The welfare of the troops that use the estate is our top priority and the accommodation facilities are a key contributor in delivering the best possible training experience.

“We are therefore delighted to work with DIO and Reds10 to deliver a programme that will not only support the government’s commitment to improving living accommodation for our Armed Forces but will also provide a highly energy efficient solution that will help DIO meet its long-term carbon reduction commitments.”

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