More than 140 properties will be made available to Armed Forces families in Tidworth.

Its part of a wider scheme bringing 1,000 properties back into use thanks to the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and its contractors.  

A total of 142 homes in Tidworth can now be used following the refurbishment of long-term ‘void’ houses, which launched in September last year and has been funded by investment from the Ministry of Defence (MOD).

The programme of works has allowed the MOD to significantly increase the number of high-quality homes available to service families.

Salisbury Journal: An example kitchen in one of the homes

Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge, said: “Improving accommodation for our service personnel and their families is a top priority – that’s why we are investing an additional £400 million into maintaining and upgrading homes.”  

The houses that have benefited from the refurbishments were previously deemed uninhabitable, primarily due to their age and condition. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), working alongside contractors VIVO Defence Services and Amey, have carried out the works with funds prioritised for accommodation, allocated through last year’s Defence Command Paper Refresh.

More than a thousand properties across the UK, including 142 in Tidworth, have all now undergone the work needed to bring them back to the required standard. Works varied from new kitchens and bathrooms to new boilers carpets and curtains.

MP for Devizes Danny Kruger said: "I’m very pleased to see these empty homes in Tidworth made available for Army families. As the government increases its investment in defence we have to prioritise the people, and their families, who do the work to keep us safe.

"I’m impressed with the quality of the homes and I hope this improved accommodation helps the Army recruit and retain the soldiers it needs."

A number of properties have had a full refurbishment, including rewiring, new heating, new doors and windows, internal redecoration work and external work to outside spaces. 

In addition to the refurbishment, DIO is also carrying out work to more than 4,000 properties to improve their thermal efficiency. New doors, windows, roofs, and external wall insulation will act to prevent issues with damp and mould and reduce the overall cost of living for service families.

Of the thousand homes, VIVO Defence has refurbished 667 homes across southeast and southwest England and Amey has completed 195 across the central and northern regions. Due to the large number of refurbishments works to be completed in a short timeframe, DIO engaged Mitie to deliver 180 in the North and Central Regions.

In addition to the refurbishment programme, Amey has carried out External Wall Insulation (EWI) to hundreds of homes across sites in Woodbridge, East Anglia; Catterick, North Yorkshire and Old Dalby, East Midlands.