New investment at Weeton Barracks in Lancashire is creating modern, sustainable accommodation and energy infrastructure, reflecting a broader government commitment to optimise the Army estate.
A new Single Living Accommodation block will provide 69 en-suite bedspaces for junior ranks, incorporating communal kitchens, dining areas, lounges, utility spaces, and storage. Sustainable technologies include rooftop solar panels, air source heat pumps, and a SMART energy management system to improve efficiency and reduce operational costs. Construction is being delivered by Volumec under the Army’s SLA Programme, with completion expected before the end of the year.
Alongside the SLA, a 1,600-panel solar array has been installed on surplus land, supplying over one-third of the barracks’ energy demand. The project, funded under Project Prometheus, was delivered by DIO in collaboration with Mitie and Custom Solar. The installation supports operational sustainability while generating cost savings.
The MOD is also delivering a 53,000 sq ft office facility for Defence Business Services staff as part of Blackpool’s Talbot Gateway regeneration. The development will house up to 1,100 personnel and forms part of the £5.1 billion Defence Estate Optimisation Portfolio, which is modernising housing, technical, training, and office infrastructure for more than 100,000 personnel.
For contractors and suppliers in the construction and energy sectors, these projects highlight opportunities across modular accommodation, renewable energy, and technical infrastructure. The work at Weeton Barracks demonstrates the scale and complexity of defence-related construction and the growing demand for sustainable, high-specification building solutions.
Image: Major General Richard Clements CBE, Director Basing and Infrastructure (front), with representatives from the Army, DIO and Custom Solar (Mitie Group) at the Army’s new solar array. MOD Crown Copyright
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