Plans for a major new defence centre in North Wiltshire have been given the green light today by Defence Minister Derek Twigg.

The project, known as 'Corsham09', will accommodate 2,200 Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) personnel and their industry partners on the Basil Hill site in Corsham.

The PFI contract for the site is worth £690 million under a 25-year PFI deal, and will combine offices from the Corsham area. By collocating MoD staff on one site with industry partners, there will be greater support and delivery to the frontline. It will particularly improve information systems and services to all parts of the UK defence community, including the MoD's worldwide strategic communications systems used by troops deployed on operations worldwide.


Construction work will start in November this year, which will include brand new single living accommodation for 180 service men and women.

Mr Twigg said: "The work of MoD staff at Basil Hill is key to our front line forces around the world and this project reflects our determination to invest in state-of-the art infrastructure to support UK troops. Today's announcement means that ageing and unsuitable office and living accommodation at our Corsham sites will be replaced by modern, environmentally friendly and well-designed facilities, with enhanced information systems which will improve our service to all parts of the Defence community.

"We're contracting for this new complex of buildings under a 25-year Private Finance Initiative deal - which means MoD pays only for the use of the buildings and associated support services. "

(CD/JM)