New homes for soldiers (From Salisbury Journal)

New homes for soldiers

9:10am Wednesday 21st September 2011 in News By David Falcke

THE army has taken over 220 newly refurbished married soldiers’ quarters in Bulford Camp in time to house the families of 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment who are moving from Pirbright.

The houses, originally built in the 1960s, have been completely renovated over the last two years at a cost of £11.85million pounds in a joint project between the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and Modern Housing Solutions (MHS).

Included in the refurbishment is an open area that, in consultation with the families, has been turned into a small conservation area with seating, wild grasses and flowers and Buddleia to attract butterflies and insects.

The final bush was planted by the GOC 3rd Division, Major General John Lorimer.

Garrison commander Colonel Paddy Tabour said: “This modernisation is of a tremendously high standard and brings formerly old and tired family accommodation right up to standard. “This work is a clear sign that our families are being invested in at a time when operational activity is high and the demands on army families so great.”