The demolition work is paving the way for the construction of brand new homes for the officers and airmen who will operate and support the next generation of RAF transport and air-to-air refuelling aircraft.
Ministry of Defence contractors began work yesterday, Monday 14 July 2008, pulling down flats on Upwood Drive; over the next six months they will also be demolishing blocks in and around Northwood Crescent and Stanmore Crescent. In all around 70 flats will be demolished in 2008. The flats were built in the mid-1960s, and are now assessed to have reached the end of their useful life.
Under Project CATARA, which will see the RAF tactical transport capability move to Brize Norton to join the strategic transport and air-to-air refuelling capabilities, a total of 600 low-grade family quarters are earmarked for demolition, with 800 new houses to be constructed in their place. The additional 200 properties will accommodate the projected increase in Service personnel working at the base. Under current plans the houses will be completed by around 2014.
Air Commodore Elaine West, the MOD Director of Housing, said:
"This is good news for Carterton and good news for Service families at Brize Norton. These flats have been a blot on the landscape for everyone living in and around the town, and this start to the demolition work comes not a moment too soon.
"Our Service personnel deserve a good standard of accommodation, so I am delighted that we will ultimately be replacing these and other low-grade quarters around the base with new homes fit for military families in the 21st century."
Over the next ten years the MOD expects to spend £8.4bn on all living accommodation, including £3.1bn on delivering new-build and upgraded accommodation.