The Army have broken ground at Trenchard Lines in their latest bid to build new accommodation.

The British Army is looking to deliver more than 200 bedspaces for military personnel at Trenchard Lines, in Upavon, as part of a major investment programme.

An event marked the start of construction on four new Single Living Accommodation (SLA) blocks, and the programme is looking to to improve living standards across the Army estate.

Brigadier Pete Quaite OBE, Head of Army Infra Plans, said: “I am delighted to see the start of construction works at Upavon to deliver modern, fit-for-purpose, high quality accommodation for our people.

“The significant investment underway at this site demonstrates our ongoing commitment to delivering the facilities that our soldiers need and deserve, and to enhancing the environments where they live, work and train.”

(Left to right) Reds10 CEO Matt Bennion; Lt Col Grant Ingleton MC; Joanne George, DH Major Programmes and Projects (Army); Brigadier Pete Quaite OBE; Project Manager Kyle Swayne (Image: Reds10) In the first phase of the Upavon project, a total of five old accommodation blocks on site will be demolished and replaced by 200 modern en-suite bedspaces in four separate buildings, for both Junior and Senior Ranks. 

An older building onsite will also be refurbished to provide 21 en-suite bedrooms, improving on the previous interior layout of 19 bedrooms with shared ablutions. 

The new SLA design incorporates feedback from soldiers to ensure it meets their current and future needs.

Example of a bedroom in new Army Single Living Accommodation, designed using soldiers’ feedback (Image: Reds10) The project is being delivered by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) for the Army’s SLA Programme, which is delivering thousands of new bedspaces for service personnel.

Warren Webster, Defence Infrastructure Organisation, Major Programmes and Projects (Army) Director said: "The Army’s programme of Single Living Accommodation upgrade was initiated in 2021 and Trenchard is the ninth project to start construction. 

Warren continued to call the project, "[A] fantastic collaboration with our Army colleagues to achieve real progress for the benefit of our service personnel."

The construction works are being delivered by 3D modular off-site construction specialist Reds10. The company aims to use its expertise to help the Army achieve climate targets.

Matt Bennion, CEO of Reds10, said: “Sustainability remains a top priority in our design approach, supporting the Army's commitment to reducing carbon emissions.

"The three SLA buildings are being constructed using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and with SMART technology to achieve the highest energy efficiencies, transforming the lived experience for our armed forces personnel.” 

In addition to the new SLA blocks at Trenchard Lines, construction on an Officers’ Mess will begin in 2025 to provide a further 69 bedspaces.

The new buildings will be handed over in phases to enable the timely move-in of personnel, with the entire Upavon project due to complete in Autumn 2026.