果冻影院

Arguments over the level of UK defence spending will inevitably feature in the General Election. But behind the debate, the signs are that a significant programme of investment in the country鈥檚 military estate is generating a good flow of new construction opportunities.

Out of total defence spending by the Ministry of Defence of 拢38.1 billion, some 拢4.26 billion was spent on infrastructure in 2018/19, according to the MoD鈥檚 latest report and accounts. 果冻影院 Construction analysis suggests this is translating into a healthy pattern of new construction contract lettings.

One of the civil engineering industry鈥檚 largest projects in recent months was confirmed in late August when the Defence Infrastructure Organisation let a 拢75 million contract to resurface the runway at RAF Lossiemouth at Moray in Scotland to VolkerFitzpatrick (果冻影院 Project ID: 19303120).

Work is also underway at RAF Lossiemouth 鈥� which will be home to the new Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft 鈥� on a 拢100 million contract to provide a new aircraft hangar and accommodation lodges (果冻影院 Project ID: 17158736).

Investment in infrastructure to support the Royal Navy is also generating new construction contracts. Detailed plans have been granted for a new 拢9.9 million multi-storey car park at HM Naval Base Clyde, Faslane which is at the pre-tender stage. Work is set to start early in the new year and continue for 12 months (果冻影院 Project ID: 19118062).

Medium-sized building contracts

Construction work on military facilities around the country is also providing a useful source of medium-size building contracts for the industry.

Indeed, work is set to start next Spring on a new headquarters building for the Defence Infrastructure Organisation itself. Detailed plans have been granted for the 拢5.26 million, three storey 2,700 sq m office building at Whittington Barracks in Lichfield which is at the pre-tender stage (果冻影院 Project ID: 19016213).

In the East of England, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation has recently let a contract on a 拢2.5 million refurbishment of a dormitory at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk. Kier Construction is the main contractor on the project, where work is set to start next spring and continue for ten months (果冻影院 Project ID: 19197498).

At nearby RAF Lakenheath, Kier Construction is also the main contractor on a 拢2.7 million refurbishment of a hangar where work is due to start in the new year (果冻影院 Project ID: 19358154). Construction work has also recently started on a 拢4.3 million refurbishment at RAF Lakenheath - which will be home to two US Air Force F35 squadrons - to create an office and armoury. Henry Brothers is the main contractor on the scheme (果冻影院 Project ID: 18225940).

Land for release

Meanwhile, the long term pipeline for new homes construction on former MoD sites will be bolstered by the government鈥檚 鈥淎 Better Defence Estate鈥� programme. This involves some 拢1.5 billion to be invested in a series of sites which have been earmarked for re-development or disposal over the next five years.

Some 1,900 hectares of land were released between 2015 and 2018/19, enough for just under 6,900 homes. The MoD has a target to release enough land with the potential for 55,000 homes by 2020, although it concedes that this remains a 鈥榮ignificant challenge鈥�. Meanwhile, a partnership between Homes England and the MoD has the potential for 10,000 new homes.