MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
News Release (181/2008) issued by The Government News Network on 4
August 2008
Plans for a major
new defence centre in North Wiltshire have been given the green
light today by Defence Minister Derek Twigg. The project, known as
'Corsham09', will accommodate 2,200 Defence Equipment
and Support (DE&S) personnel and their industry partners on
the Basil Hill site in Corsham.
The PFI contract for the site is worth £690 million under a
25-year PFI deal, and will combine offices from the Corsham area.
By collocating MoD staff on one site with industry partners, there
will be greater support and delivery to the frontline. It will
particularly improve information systems and services to all parts
of the UK defence community, including the MoD's worldwide
strategic communications systems used by troops deployed on
operations worldwide.
Construction work will start in November this year, which will
include brand new single living accommodation for 180 service men
and women.
Defence Under Secretary Derek Twigg said:
"The work of MoD staff at Basil Hill is key to our front
line forces around the world and this project reflects our
determination to invest in state-of-the art infrastructure to
support UK troops. Today's announcement means that ageing and
unsuitable office and living accommodation at our Corsham sites
will be replaced by modern, environmentally friendly and
well-designed facilities, with enhanced information systems which
will improve our service to all parts of the Defence community.
"We're contracting for this new complex of buildings
under a 25-year Private Finance Initiative deal - which means MoD
pays only for the use of the buildings and associated support
services. "
Richard Groome of Inteq, the consortium that will build and run
the new complex said:
"We have designed new accommodation facilities that will
create a positive, 21st Century environment in which service
personnel and civilians can live and work. Inteq recognises that
this is a very important initiative for the MoD and we are
confident that by bringing the expertise of Interserve and John
Laing together we will deliver real benefits for our Armed Forces
and value for money solutions for the MoD."
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. The PFI contract, worth approximately £690 Million over its
25-year life, aims to meet an integrated requirement for services,
facilities and capital works to support Defence Equipment
&Support's Information Systems and Services organisation
and 2(NC) Sig Bde Headquarters' operational output while
improving site infrastructure. The contract will see the
significant redevelopment of the Basil Hill site. Seven new
buildings are proposed and will provide offices, living
accommodation, sports, storage and reception facilities as
described below:
a. Operational command building for the DE&S ISS Headquarters
and Global Operations Security and Control Centre (GOSCC)
b.
Single Living Accommodation for 180 service personnel with mess
and conference facilities
c. Sports hall
d. Security
building providing reception and control room facilities
e.
Combined stores
f. Motor transport workshop
There will also be a substantial refresh of retained facilities.
2. Key Points of the New Working Environment for Corsham are:
a. The consolidation of DE&S ISS from four sites onto a
single site at Basil Hill;
b. The replacement and relocation of existing inadequate and
dilapidated living accommodation for military personnel at Corsham
providing 180 service personnel with excellent, modern facilities;
c. The rationalisation of existing car parks. Much of the
existing vehicle parking does not meet MOD-mandated security
stand-off distances from buildings under any heightened security state;
d. New sports facilities including fitness suite, squash courts,
all weather sports pitch and grassed sports pitch;
e. Management of the Corsham Underground area.
3. The improved information systems typically range from
providing everything from telephones and computers in the Head
Offices of the MOD and throughout the defence community, through
to the provision of operationally critical communications to the
frontline, via the Skynet 5 satellite programme, as currently
employed in Iraq and Afghanistan. These communication and
information services are provided in conjunction with our delivery
partners who are vital in ensuring that defence gets what it
needs. We are also responsible for ensuring that our networks are
monitored and timely restoration is done in the event of any
problems with our networks, this is a 24 hours a day, 365 days a
year task.
4. The construction programme will commence in 2008 and all major
building work will take place in the first three years. This PFI
contract has been the subject of detailed negotiation and scrutiny
to ensure that the contractual details are absolutely right for a
contract lasting 25 years.
5. Units that will be based on the site include Defence Equipment
and Support's Information Systems & Services organisation
(DE&S ISS) and 2(National Communications) Signal Brigade.
6. The PFI contract will secure many existing jobs in the local
areas with potential for new job creation. At the peak of
construction activity Laing O'Rourke will require about 380
staff on site. About 80 MOD posts will transfer to Inteq under the
Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations
(TUPE) rules. No redundancies are anticipated as a result of this transfer.
7. The programme has identified some 55 hectares of MOD land in
Corsham that will not be required. Defence Estates will manage the
disposal of the surplus land at Corsham.
8. Inteq was awarded preferred bidder status in 2006 as result of
a competition. Laing O'Rourke will provide new works and
Interserve FM will provide the refurbishment of existing buildings
and also the services element of the contract. North Wiltshire
District Council has granted planning permission for the scheme.
9. Around 100 staff working for contractors who currently provide
sole support to the Corsham estate will also transfer to the Inteq
consortium under TUPE rules.
10. For further details visit http://www.mod.uk