Client: Ministry of Defence
Location: Colchester, UK
Size: 316 hectare site
Skills: Masterplanning, Town Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture
Colchester Garrison PFI is one of the largest Ministry of Defence accommodation PFIs to date. The contract for its delivery was the first of its type for a Garrison project, and is setting standards for future MOD projects. The total cost of the project is £2.2 billion, over a 35 year contract, of which £560m is building costs. The project was delivered by a consortium led by Sir Robert McAlpine and WS Atkins.
Broadway Malyan provided advisory Architectural, Landscape Architecture, Planning and Conservation design services to the Ministry of Defence. Broadway Malyan were appointed in January 1997 producing the client brief, planning framework, bid interview / assessment requirement and design support to the completion of the built elements of the project. Our appointment was completed in 2007 when the final phase was completed.
The Garrison occupied a 316 hectare site south of Colchester town centre. It is the home of 16th Air Assault Brigade with some 3,500 military personnel and 5,500 dependants to be accommodated.
With support from Broadway Malyan the MoD procured via the PFI a wide range of services for the efficient running of the barracks within new and refurbished buildings and facilities. The range of services included the provision of catering and other hotel services, building management and maintenance, transport and general administration.
Compiling the planning framework masterplan for the site and the preparation of the Public Sector Comparator were central to the Broadway Malyan role, it enabled the various clients and stakeholders to visualise and plan for the development of the site before the private sector partner was selected. Through working in partnership with the MoD, Colchester Borough Council and Essex County Council, Broadway Malyan was able to create a campus masterplan to allow growth and change while minimising the effect on the environment.
The masterplan for the Garrison integrated all the accommodation, transportation, infrastructure (including sustainable urban drainage), strategic open space and landscaping proposals.
As a result of building the new Garrison, the MOD has been able to sell 84 hectares of surplus land to land developer Taylor Woodrow. It will be used to build over 2,500 new residential units comprising both market and affordable, plus areas for leisure and light industrial use. The finance raised from this will help to offset the costs of the PFI.
Colchester Garrison masterplan has been used as a demonstration project by constructing excellence for team working, consultation and sustainability. The Garrison has been rebuilt in an innovative and more appropriate form to suit the modern army.