Over 80 service family homes are being refurbished for soldiers and their families in Catterick. Thanks to £200 million additional funding for military accommodation announced in Catterick by the Chancellor and the Defence Secretary last July, Amey is able to refurbish the homes on behalf of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO).
Leo Docherty MP, Minister for Defence People and Veterans, met local families who’ve recently moved into some of the refurbished properties. The homes in Catterick are being completely refitted with new kitchens, bathrooms, downstairs toilets, heating pipework and radiators. Other work includes insulation, boilers, electrical wiring and fittings and flooring. In addition, seven playparks at Catterick are being completely modernised.
Around £122 million of the additional funding is being spent on refurbishing around 3,000 service family homes throughout the UK. The remainder of the funding will be spent on improving single living accommodation. The programme has sustained over 5,000 jobs across the UK, many within small and medium-sized enterprises, such as CLC Group Ltd and subcontractors Axel and Unique Interiors, who are delivering the work at Catterick.
Minister for Defence People and Veterans Leo Docherty MP said: “Our people are at the heart of what we do and I am proud to see first-hand how our investments are making a difference to the lives of our service personnel.”
Tim Redfern, Amey’s Managing Director, Defence said: “We are delighted that Service families are benefiting from this vital investment aimed at improving the lived experience of Service personnel and their families. We remain focused on our joint commitment with DIO to improve the economic, sustainable and social performance of the Defence estate and working with our supply chain partners to deliver a value for money service.”
Lieutenant Colonel Jim Turner, Catterick Garrison Commander said: “I welcome this substantial investment into Armed Forces families’ accommodation, which is providing new heating and wiring and providing families in the Garrison with more modern, energy-efficient homes, helping to reduce their energy bills. We’re working closely with the families involved to minimise disruption as far as possible. This programme is going to make a big difference to our housing stock and ensure we’re providing service personnel and their families with better homes for the future.”