Feature

Work Begins On Converting Derelict Barracks Into New Army Homes

Work has started on turning a derelict Salisbury Plain barracks into a home for troops returning from Germany.

Corunna Barracks and Ludgershall Vehicle Depot are being flattened to make way for 246 new family homes.

The site's one of nearly 50 being transformed as part of the Army 2020 rebasing plan.

Working on behalf of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), specialist contractors are pulling down 62 buildings, removing car parks and lifting and moving temporary accommodation units to other MOD sites for reuse.

DIO Project Manager, Andy Corcoran, said:

"Preparing the site for development is a big task. Some of the hangars are about the same size as the Twickenham rugby pitch at more than 800m2. Other buildings being levelled include workshops, kit stores, catering facilities and vehicle servicing bays."

"The housing development planned for this site is one example of how we’re supporting service personnel and their families through the provision of a fit for purpose estate, including accommodation."

The demolition works are scheduled to complete by early next year, while a planning application for the new homes planned for the site has been submitted to Wiltshire Council.

Construction works would follow after all necessary approvals are obtained.

A large hangar to be demolished at Corunna Barracks

The homes are part of wider infrastructure proposals to accommodate the 4,300 extra troops planned to relocate to the Salisbury Plain area under the army basing programme.

A site for a primary school, land for community uses and open space are also included in the development proposals for Ludgershall.

Photography Crown Copyright/ Nicole Herlihy/ 2015