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The Business Magazine July 2024
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MOD picks Kent’s Laing O’Rourke to build new army accommodation

The Business Magazine article image for: MOD picks Kent’s Laing O’Rourke to build new army accommodation
23 August 2024

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has appointed Kent-based construction firm Laing O’Rourke as part of an alliance with five other contractors to build single living accommodation (SLA) for the armed forces.

Each company will be awarded contracts by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), an operating arm of the MOD.

Over the next six years, 16,000 new bedspaces will be introduced as part of a wider MOD plan to build or refurbish 40,000 SLA bedspaces in the coming decade.

A library of accommodation designs has been created to provide a common base plan, with variations and flexibility to adapt according to the needs of the site and its personnel – such as the number of rooms required.

The DIO’s new programmatic approach to SLA also focuses on modern methods of construction, which involves building new blocks off-site in sections.

This should improve the speed of manufacture and reduce the time spent on site, minimising disruption.

The designs were created with sustainability in mind and will contribute to the government’s net zero carbon strategy.

Elizabeth Peters, pre-construction director at Laing O’Rourke, said: “We’re delighted to be appointed as one of the alliance partners for the DIO’s programme.

“We believe that alliance partnering offers best practice in public sector procurement with each of the partners pooling their expertise, in this case, to deliver high quality, sustainable single living accommodation for our valued service personnel.

“We look forward to bringing our extensive experience of delivery using modern methods of construction to the partnership over the next six years.”

Charlie Hoskins, director of major programmes and projects at the DIO, added: “I’m convinced this new alliance using a programmatic approach will be crucial to improve our broader delivery of single living accommodation.

“These blocks are one of the armed forces facilities we build the most, and this approach will ensure we can safely build blocks faster and to a common design, ensuring consistency of standards and driving better value for money.

“Ultimately, this is about improving the living conditions for our armed forces personnel, and every one of our suppliers is motivated by this aim.”

A hybrid approach will be adopted over the next two years, with the full new programmatic approach being used for all projects from 2026 onwards.


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Born and raised in Berkshire, Dan fell into journalism after completing his bachelor’s degree in English at UCL.

Writing for The Business Magazine and local Biz News sites has given him the opportunity to chat with all manner of small business owners and share their success stories with a wider audience.

Outside of work, Dan enjoys live music, board games and quiz shows, and is making a slow but persistent effort to learn Spanish.

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