The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), working with industry partner Landmarc Support Services and Pave Aways, has opened a new £4m kitchen and dining facility for the Armed Forces at the Nesscliff Training Camp.
The facility – which can feed 600 personnel each meal time and up to 200 personnel in the field – includes additional storage and welfare space. Improvements have also been made to the existing disabled facilities on the site.
Not only will the new facility improve the experience of Service personnel using the site, but the use of local contractor Pave Aways, provided a boost to the local economy with the construction phase sustaining jobs for around 300 people locally.
DIO Training Safety Officer, Major (Ret’d) Richard Slaney, commented: “DIO supports our Armed Forces by providing what they need to live, work and train. Nesscliff is an essential site for military training in the West Midlands and surrounding counties, dealing with all priority military units’ pre-operational training.
“With the changes in regular army basing and the increase in UK-based troops, this new kitchen and dining facility will allow Nesscliff to support the inevitable increase in use, whilst providing the high-quality service that troops expect and deserve.”
Designed to meet the mandated 60-year life span for all new buildings, with enhanced thermal insulation and photovoltaic roof panels, the project supports the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) Sustainable MOD Strategy and will significantly reduce ongoing maintenance and utilities costs for the MOD.
Steven Owen, Managing Director of Pave Aways, said: “Being able to deliver this flagship facility at Nesscliff was a huge honour for us, particularly as it was where Pave Aways carried out its first contract 47 years ago.
“Through our commitment to our local supply chain, it also provided a widespread economic boost, supporting jobs and businesses within a 25-mile radius.”
John Shippen, Landmarc’s Project Manager added: “As DIO’s industry partner for the delivery of services across the national Defence training estate, we’re proud to have been part of a project that is helping to provide the best training experience for our Armed Forces. This is a superb facility that will significantly improve the welfare of troops using the camp to train.
“Delivering the final stages of this project in the current climate was challenging, but early intervention and engagement with our supply chain to implement effective COVID-19 safety measures and the determination and flexibility of our DIO colleagues and Pave Aways, made completing this project achievable.”
Major General James Illingworth said: “We’re delighted to take into use the new kitchen and dining facility here at Nesscliff. This high-quality state-of-the-art facility will provide much needed modern welfare services for our training soldiers.
“This new facility and the enhancements made here are fit-for-purpose and will allow Nesscliff to better support our training troops and enable them to prepare for operations.”
