Show Home shows off improvements to Service Housing
27 Mar 08
As part of the upgrade to top condition of 185 homes at Dale Barracks, Chester, a show home was opened recently and service families who have viewed it are eager to move in.
Upgrade work in progress at Dale Barracks in Chester
[Picture: MOD]
The internal and external refurbishment to the 185 properties, being undertaken by Defence Estates in partnership with MODern Housing Solutions, is programmed for completion in February 2009.
The works include brand new modern kitchens and bathrooms as well as light cladding to brighten the exteriors. The properties are decorated throughout in neutral tones, and colour-coordinated carpets and curtains together with a modern feature fireplace create additional warmth in the living room.
The project teams have ensured that any space in the kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms is utilised by moving doors and cupboards. A storeroom has been converted into a utility room which will comfortably house a washing machine and new cupboards have been installed to create additional workspace.
Show homes are customary when buying a new property on the open market and due to the success of the pilot show home at the Army Estate, Invicta Park in Maidstone, MODern Housing Solutions are opening show homes on all estates that are undergoing major refurbishment works.
Feedback shows that Service families living on refurbishment sites welcome this innovative scheme which allows them to see the standard of workmanship and the new layout of their future home first-hand.
"Here is real evidence of what a successful partnership can deliver. Within Defence Housing we all know that the Housing Prime Contract had a difficult start – but we also know that much good work is being done across the Housing Estate. We are all working hard to ensure that good news stories such as this become the norm."
Air Commodore Peter Hibberd, Defence Estates Housing Director
Service family Andrew and Aimee Griffiths are due to move into one of the refurbished homes shortly. Andrew said:
"The properties are really nice. I can't wait to move in. The kitchen and bathroom are spot on. I'm really looking forward to moving in – it's a lovely area to live in. I'm going to be drafted elsewhere after a year, but would really like to stay in this property for longer."
Air Commodore Peter Hibberd, Defence Estates Housing Director, added:
"Here is real evidence of what a successful partnership can deliver. Within Defence Housing we all know that the Housing Prime Contract had a difficult start – but we also know that much good work is being done across the Housing Estate. We are all working hard to ensure that good news stories such as this become the norm."
Commenting on the upgrade works, MODern Housing Solutions Managing Director Seumas Kerr said:
"I am pleased to see the start on site of this project and I am proud of our involvement to date. This successful partnership with Defence Estates will raise standards and bring real benefits to the occupants of Dale Barracks.
A Service couple in discussion with Steve Bates, Customer Liaison Officer, MODern Housing Solutions, in the show home kitchen
[Picture: MOD]
"MODern Housing Solutions is currently involved in a number of projects focused on the improvement of Service Family Accommodation throughout England and Wales. We look forward to continuing our collaborative, performance-focused relationship with Defence Estates, as well as providing tangible service improvements to Service families."
The development of the family quarters, which is part of a wider programme of improvements being undertaken by Defence Estates, was awarded to MODern Housing Solutions to project manage and deliver in December 2007.
The works at Dale Barracks represent part of the 2007/08 programme to upgrade at least 600 military quarters on a worst-first basis, followed by a further 600 in 2008/09, and 800 in subsequent years in England and Wales. Other current upgrade programmes include 151 houses at Invicta Park in Maidstone, 138 houses at Blandford Camp in Dorset, 81 houses at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, 35 houses at Carver Barracks near Safffron Walden and 24 houses at RAF High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire.
Dale Barracks is currently unoccupied by a parent unit. However, in late summer 2008, the Royal Welsh Fusiliers will be moving to the Barracks from Cyprus.