RAF Digby Design and Access Report

DIG-HLM-XX-XX-RP-A-0070 Revision P01 XXXX

Source: Wikimedia Commons ‘Ivor the Driver’ Image source: source: Image 00: Executive Summary

This Design and Access Statement has been prepared on behalf of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) in support of a proposal for four new Junior Ranks Single Living Accommodation (SLA) buildings with associated car parking at RAF Digby near Scopwick, in Lincolnshire.

The need for new accommodation is urgent, the existing accomodation dating from the 1950’s is no longer fit for purpose and beyond economic repair. The existing accomodation is also at full capacity.

Each new building will contain 69 bedrooms over a ground, first and second floor. The L-shaped buildings will be grouped together to form a courtyard as part of a masterplanning proposal which includes car parking and landscaping which will compliment and enhance the existing base.

HLM Architects, alongside Arcadis and Cundall have been engaged by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) on behalf of UK Strategic Command (UKStratCom), as the Technical Service Provider (TSP) through the Enhanced Assurance and Commissioning Model (ECAM) to support on the delivery of this service accommodation. Contents Project Team

00 Executive Summary

01 Introduction

1.1 Background 1.2 Project Experience

02 Site & Context

2.1 Historical Context 2.2 Site Context 2.3 Site Location Lead TSP Design Team 2.4 Existing Estate Conditions 2.5 Siting and Orientation

03 Proposal

3.1 Layout Development 3.2 Elevational Treatment 3.3 Masterplan 3.4 Security 3.5 Landscaping 3.6 Car Parking & Amenity Document Notes 3.7 Sustainability 3.8 Acessibility Document Name: Design and Access Report HLM Project Reference: 11-1417-01

Document Reference: DIG-HLM-XX-XX-RP-A-0070

Revision Log: DRAFT Issue for Review 01/03/21

Produced & Reviewed By: Steve Allan, Sarah Tew

The designs shown within this report are sketch only and subject to Design Options Summary. Unless stated otherwise, the designs shown are subject to detailed site survey, investigations, and legal definition, the CDM Regulations, and the comments and/or approval of the various relevant Local Authority Officers, Conservation Officers, Statutory Undertakers, Fire Officers, Engineers and the like. They are copyright, project specific and confidential and no part is to be used or copied in any way without the express prior consent of HLM Architects.

This document is designed to be read as a two-page spread, please view double sided with cover.

The contents page contains click-able links for ease of navigation.

RAF Digby 03 Design and Access Report

OFFICIAL 01: Introduction

The following section of the statement provides a summary desription of the project brief based primarily on the User Requirements Document (URD) issued by UK Strategic Command to meet the accommodation needs at RAF Digby. 01: Introduction 1.1 Project Brief

The existing Junior Ranks accommodation at RAF Digby is inadequate. There is a clear need for new accommodation that meets the requirements and expectations of service personnel.

To that end, the proposals are as follows for four new Junior Ranks Single Living Accoommodation (SLA) buildings inclusive of the following;

• Provision of 69 bedrooms of Junior Ranks ‘Type Z’ bedrooms including en-suite facilities.

• The bedrooms will be expected to provide adequately- sized living quarters to accommodate the sleeping, leisure, storage and personal office space requirements and be fully communication accessible.

• There is a requirement for a laundry area housing washers and driers (adequate for the number of personnel living in the building alongside a drying space.

• Storage area sufficient to store large items (e.g. bicycles).

• One bedroom per SLA reuired to be fully accessible.

• Communal and amenity space in line with MOD guidance.

• A provision of 54 car parking spaces including electrical charging points for electrical vehicles.

• Defence Related Environmental Assessment Method (DREAM) rating - to achive ‘Excellent’.

• Meet MOD guidelines - including JSP 315 - Services Accommodation Code.

Interior Visualisations of typical bedroom (above) and ground floor communal space (below) Source:DIO - Defence Estate Organisation Programme B112 - Junior Ranks

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01: Introduction 1.2 Project Experience

For two decades HLM Architects have worked alongside the Tri- Services delivering facilities that provide healthy and inspiring living and training environments for service personnel.

As part of Project SLAM (Single Living Accommodation Modernisation) programme (2003–2015 approx) approximately 22,500 bed spaces have now been delivered of single living accommodation across 52 sites.

The design of SLA is important to ensure that service personnel live in a comfortable fit-for-purpose living environment and for many young recruits the SLA will be the first experience of living away from home.

The SLA design achieves a balance between the privacy of the study bedroom and interaction with colleagues in the communal areas. In this and other regards the design of SLA bears comparison with student accommodation.

The goal with any SLA no matter the loaction is simple – delivering modern accommodation to better recruit and Gaza Barracks, Catterick Imphal Barracks, York, Transit Accommodation Gaza Barracks, Courtyard and Communal Area retain the service personnel the MoD requires to carry out its responsibilities.

The greatly improved living conditions that have been provided have already been seen to have had a beneficial impact on the recruitment and retention of service personnel with a consequential enhancement in their operational effectiveness.

Gaza Barracks, Landscaping & Lighting SLAM Sandhurst Gaza Barracks, Courtyard

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OFFICIAL

02: Site & Context

The following section of the statement introduces the site, the rich history of RAF Digby and describes the condition of the existing accommodation. 02: Site & Context 2.1 Historical Context

As far back as 1917 the base was used for overflow accommodation and as a relief landing ground by cadets from nearby HMS Daedalus (now RAF Cranwell).

Upon the arrival of heavy bombers on March 28, 1918, RAF Digby became an Air Station in its own right, making it one of the first RAF airbases in the UK.

Between the wars a number of celebrated RAF personalities served at the station: Arthur Harris, later to become ‘Bomber’ Harris of the Second World War, was one of the first Station Commanders, and Frank Whittle, who later went on to invent the jet engine, was one of the flying instructors.

During the Second World War, RAF Digby had a unique role as a Fighter Command station in a predominately bomber county. Its Spitfires and Hurricanes provided protection to vast swathes of airspace over eastern England.

Guy Gibson, later to lead the Dambusters, received his DFC from King George VI while stationed at RAF Digby, and the Aerial View of RAF Digby Aerial View of RAF Digby The Operations Room, set up in 21st October 1939 Source: Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire ‘Aviation Stories - RAF Digby by Lincolnshire Oral Source: Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire ‘Aviation Stories - RAF Digby by Lincolnshire Oral Source: TwitterRAF Digby Ops Museum (@LimaSectorOps) celebrated pilot Douglas Bader also served at the Unit. History part 1’ on Youtube History part 1’ on Youtube

In 1941, the Station welcomed a number of Royal Canadian Air Force Squadrons, a relationship that endured until the end of WWII.

Now one of only two surviving World War II Fighter Command Stations, the Operations Room is open for organised visits by the general public.

RAF Digby is home to a number of Joint Service Units that support and enable Defence operations across the globe. As well as providing operational support to the development of specialist Communication Information Systems, it is home to 591 Signals Unit (591SU) and the Aerial Erector School (AES).

The Station is commanded by an RAF Wing Commander.

King George VI and Wing Commander Crasher Smith, 1939 Queen Elizabeth at RAF Digby Flying the flag at RAF Digby Source: www.worldwarphotos.info Source: Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire ‘Aviation Stories - RAF Digby by Lincolnshire Oral Source: Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire ‘Aviation Stories - RAF Digby by Lincolnshire Oral History part 1’ on Youtube History part 1’ on Youtube

RAF Digby 08 Design & Access Statement

OFFICIAL 02: Site & Context 2.2 Site Location

The Site is located on the north-western side of RAF Digby, on a grass field that was formerly it’s airfield. RAF Digby lies between Lincoln and Sleaford in North Kesteven District of Lincolnshire.

The base is located 1.5km to the north-west of Ashby de la Launde and 2.2km to the south-west of Scopwick.

The Site comprises a part of a large, grassed field and measures 3 hectares in size. The Site is roughly square in shape and located off a north-east to south-west aligned routeway.

Topographically the Site is flat. The airfield lies close to the Lincolnshire Peat Fens which is a low-lying area of reclaimed marshland.

To the north-east, east, south and south-west of the Site are the buildings of RAF Digby. To the west and north-west is the continuation of a large fairly flat field which was once the airfield to RAF Digby.

Today it is a large expanse of grassland with remnants of communication towers and recreational sport facilities such as a football pitch.

Historic Ordnance Survey maps have revealed that in the early 1880’s the Site was part of an agricultural landscape.

In 1917 the fields were then used by trainee pilots from HMS Daedalus (RAF Cranwell). It was not until 1918 that the area formally became RAF Digby .

This RAF base is not depicted on the historic Ordnance Survey maps until 1956 due to secrecy around the RAF base.

RAF Digby 09 Design & Access Statement

OFFICIAL 02: Site & Context 2.3 Site Context

The Site is located on the north-western side of RAF Digby, on a grass field that was formerly it’s airfield. RAF Digby lies between Lincoln and Sleaford in North Kesteven District of Lincolnshire. The base is located 1.5km to the north-west of Ashby de la Launde and 2.2km to the south-west of Scopwick.

The Site comprises a part of a large, grassed field and measures 3 hectares in size. The Site is roughly square in shape and located off a north-east to south-west aligned routeway. Topographically the Site is flat. The airfield lies close to the Lincolnshire Peat Fens which is a low-lying area of reclaimed marshland.

To the north-east, east, south and south-west of the Site are the buildings of RAF Digby. To the west and north-west is the continuation of a large fairly flat field which was once the airfield to RAF Digby. Today it is a large expanse of grassland with remnants of communication towers and recreational sport facilities such as a football pitch.

Historic Ordnance Survey maps have revealed that in the early 1880’s the Site was part of an agricultural landscape. In 1917 the fields were then used by trainee pilots from HMS Daedalus (RAF Cranwell). It was not until 1918 that the area formally became RAF Digby . This RAF base is not depicted on the historic Ordnance Survey maps until 1956 due to secrecy around the RAF base.

RAF Digby 10 Design & Access Statement

OFFICIAL 02: Site & Context 2.3 Site Context

1. View across the proposed SLA site looking North 2. View from within the proposed site looking east towards the Station and gymnasium

3. Looking along the Southern edge of the proposed site 4. View west across the former airfield and runway. showing the existing security fence-line

6. The existing buildings have informed the orientation and siting of the proposed building, and the proposed main 5. The existing car park will remain, with the proposed site entrance will be visible from this perspective beyond

RAF Digby 11 Design & Access Statement

OFFICIAL