feature report feature report 6th October 2004 6th October 2004 PROJECT MODEL THE DEFENCE ESTATE IN LONDON IS CHANGING GARRETT DORAN DETAILS THE he UK Ministry of Defence Estate in • A strategy that says that long-term military London is preparing for massive requirements should be linked to ‘core sites’ IMPORTANCE OF PROJECT Tinvestment and restructuring thanks on which future use and investment can be MODEL WITHIN THE MOD. to Project MoDEL (Ministry of Defence focused. Estate in London), originally announced by Project MoDEL aims to deliver the above by Dr Lewis Moonie, Under-Secretary of State, developing a core site as a logical and efficient way in October 2002. Project MoDEL aims to of organising the MoD’s defence capabilities in deliver flexible, modern, integrated, Greater London. RAF Northolt – Officers Mess fit-for-purpose core sites of the right size and quality to support the delivery of PROJECT PROPOSALS WOOLWICH UPDATE However, in late 2003 the USVF began a further FINANCING THE PROJECT review of its requirements within Greater London, defence capability and generate substantial AND OBJECTIVES After the Lyons Review of 2003 and intervention It is anticipated that this will be a self-funding efficiency savings within Greater London. by the Secretary of State, the objectives of MoDEL which consequently is likely to have an effect on project – the disposal receipts from surplus sites Project MoDEL aims to develop an estate, within the scope of MoDEL. A decision is still awaited Project MoDEL has now been approved by the Greater London, of the right size and quality to were reassessed.Consequently,the development of will be used to fund work at RAF Northolt. In MoD to move into the Assessment Phase and the Woolwich Station was reconsidered and a on the future requirements of the USVF in the order to deliver optimum results, Defence Estates support the delivery of defence capability.The aim Greater London area.The MoDEL team is working the procurement process has started with the is to consolidate the facilities occupied by the decision was taken to exclude the development of (DE) has developed a proposed procurement issue of an Official Journal of the European Royal Artillery Barracks, Woolwich from Project closely with the USVF to assist them in planning method known as Prime Plus Contracting (PPC), MoD and potentially the United States Visiting their future estate needs and to consider options Union (OJEU) notice for the project on Forces (USVF) onto fit-for-purpose core sites, MoDEL.The consolidation of Woolwich remains a which is a further development of Prime 4 August 2004. project objective. However, an assessment is being for the rationalisation of the existing MoD sites Contracting. MoDEL involves the development of thereby generating a number of benefits in terms that they occupy. of reducing running costs, improving efficiency and undertaken to examine future options for the new and refurbished buildings at RAF Northolt BACKGROUND relocation of units from Woolwich Station. The and possibly at other sites. The funding from this consolidating resources. BENEFITS As readers may remember from the January 2003 Broadly this translates as: team is working to ensure all objectives of the development is to be paid for through the disposal report in MoD Defence Contracts Bulletin, • Developing RAF Northolt as a core site, project are complementary with the Lyons Review. Benefits will include: proceeds of the alienated sites. Project MoDEL is an implementation of the 1998 incorporating personnel and facilities from • Significant improvements in quality of life, in Procurement began with the issuing of an OJEU Strategic Defence Review (SDR) recommendations. Inglis Barracks, Mill Hill and RAF Uxbridge. ROLE OF THE UNITED STATES terms of working and living environments. notice on 4 August 2004, and continued with an SDR made two key recommendations about the • Consolidating the Woolwich Estate. VISITING FORCES • Increased efficiency and organisation of MoD Industry Day at RAF Northolt on 13 September, future of the London Estate: • Potentially consolidating the USVF to In Dr Lewis Moonie’s October 2002 announcement activities. where more information was made available as to • The MoD should develop a strategy to manage RAF Uxbridge. it was stated that one MoDEL objective was to • Strengthening of the MoD estate through the various aspects of MoDEL. The partner the estate as a corporate asset. Sites that will become surplus are to be put up “develop RAF Uxbridge as a core site for the USN” implementation of the MoD Estate appointed as the Prime Plus Contractor by • The MoD should look specifically at the for disposal, while over the next six years, an (post-vacation of the MoD), taking units from: Strategy. Defence Estates will be involved for the entirety of London Estate, rationalising it to retain only additional 1000 personnel will be relocated to • RAF Eastcote • Contribution to the Government’s Project MoDEL. On completion of the those activities considered operationally RAF Northolt, which will benefit from • Kennington Barracks sustainability targets by reducing overall consolidation and disposal of all surplus sites it is essential to remain within Greater London. development and investment. As well as the • RAF Daws Hill running costs. anticipated that the estate assets will be More recently the MoD’s Estate Strategy aims to offices, operational facilities and accommodation, • RAF West Ruislip • Substantial improvements in energy use, from transferred into the South East Regional Prime deliver this through: new social, recreational and sporting facilities will • Blenheim Crescent integration and co-location of activities. Contract (RPC SE) or its successor. • A department–wide view on which sites are also be built to accommodate the function of • Loudwater • The release of brownfield sites for most suited to its long-term business. RAF Northolt as a core site. • Edison House redevelopment. THE PROJECT TEAM The project team is headed by Richard Nelson and includes members from the MoD, DE and the Armed Forces. Various subproject and technical groups responsible for the delivery of specific aspects of the project support the project team. MoDEL will involve an Anglo-American team,if the USVF decides to consolidate their current estate, to ensure the project fulfils the requirements of the MoD and the US Navy. THE WAY FORWARD MoDEL has now entered its two-year Assessment Phase. The selection of a Prime Plus Contracting partner will be complete by summer 2006, allowing GARRETT construction to begin later in 2006. Delivery of the DORAN completed core sites along with successful disposal of the surplus sites is currently set at 2010. COMMUNICATIONS AND PR TEAM LEADER This, and further Defence features, can be accessed under the PROJECT MODEL Newsroom section of the MoD DEFENCE ESTATES RAF Northolt – aerial view RAF Uxbridge – Battle of Britain Ops Room Portal at: www.contracts.mod.uk 26 27 www.contracts.mod.uk www.contracts.mod.uk.