Cyprus: £10m Spent On New Homes For Service Families

Twenty-six new homes have been built for military personnel and their families at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.

The project cost £10m, replacing homes deemed no longer fit for purpose.

Built during the COVID-19 pandemic, construction of the homes took place on three separate sites with a small number of construction workers at each location.

The homes have been built to be "seismically compliant" due to the threat of earthquakes on the island.

Major General Robert Thomson, Commander British Forces Cyprus (BFC), attended a special handover ceremony earlier this month.

"BFC is extremely happy with the quality of the houses delivered and the project team’s response to the COVID pandemic," he said after a tour of the homes.

RAF Akrotiri is one of the Air Force's busiest bases - used to launch overseas operations in the Middle East and for fast jet training.

Chris Wood, DIO project manager, said he was pleased to support the personnel on-base and their families in Cyprus.

"The base and the work that takes place there is incredibly important and it is equally important that those living and working there have good quality, fit for purpose accommodation," he said, praising the quick implementation of coronavirus safety measures to minimise project delays.

The DIO said the new homes will help guide the next two phases of construction and design development.

Cover image: The new service homes in RAF Akrotiri (Picture: DIO/Twitter).