SOLDIER: Ambitious scheme gives Army houses a modern makeover
15 Dec 09
THE housing arm of the MoD is making
successful headway in moving out of a 1960s’
time warp into an energy-efficient, cosy future.
Defence Estates (DE) is currently overseeing
a £3 billion refurbishment project which will see
hundreds of antiquated abodes transformed into
bright, modern living spaces.
SSgt Bryn Davis (RLC) and wife Becky relax in the recently renovated kitchen of their SFA on Colchester Garrison’s St Michael’s estate
[Picture: Mike Weston, Soldier Magazine/Crown Copyright 2009]
To gain an exclusive insight into the programme, Soldier took a trip to Colchester Garrison’s St Michael’s estate, home to The Parachute Regiment, where 136 houses are being given dramatic makeovers as part of a ten-year Government plan. With extensive building work ongoing around the otherwise quiet streets, we dropped in on three identical properties at different stages of the transformation cycle.
The stark difference between the gloomy, unloved house yet to be given a facelift and the commodious home handed over to SSgt Bryn Davis (13 Air Assault Support Regiment RLC) was astonishing.
DE has placed the building tools in the hands of Modern Housing Solutions (MHS) with the requirement that soldiers are given homes to be proud of. But it has been more than a case of adding a lick of paint.
With some empty houses last decorated when Bobby Moore lifted the World Cup, MHS has breathed new life into the semi-detached and terraced properties by means of opened-up spaces, fitted showers and brand-new double glazing.
"Every effort has been made to make the houses more spacious and more modern," said DE housing planner Karen Bennett.
The design process and eventual work on the houses followed detailed discussions with troops and their families at an open meeting. As a result, every house on the DE hit-list will be rewired with additional plug sockets and new carpets fitted throughout.
"Every effort has been made to make the houses more spacious and more modern."
DE housing planner Karen Bennett
Despite the wide-ranging changes to the houses – which even stretched to shinier door handles – the environment was not forgotten by DE. In fact it was at the forefront of its agenda.
Head of DE Operations Housing, Air Cdre Elaine West, explained the all-embracing efforts.
"We have installed a new high-efficiency gas condensing boiler with new radiators incorporating thermal valves," she said. "That is combined with new double-glazed doors and windows as well as improved loft insulation."
SSgt Davis, who joined the Army 16 years ago, moved into his sparkling house soon after the renovators had completed their remove and refurbish operation.
Now settled in the three-bedroom home with his wife Becky (29) and daughters Courtney (11) and Morgan (7), he was full of praise for the project.
A renovated kitchen in SFA on St Michael's estate in Colchester
[Picture: Mike Weston, Soldier Magazine/Crown Copyright 2009]
"Compared with the last house this is a massive
improvement," he said.
"The house is 100 per cent better than what we
have had before and we’ve made it homely with our
own furniture."
Air Cdre West added: "By March 2013 very few
families should be living in houses that don’t meet
the top two condition standards."
This article by Joe Clapson was first published in Soldier Magazine.