Work is progressing well on a new £6.5 million kitchen and dining facility at Rollestone Camp on Salisbury Plain. Due for completion in late 2025, the fully electric, modern facility will accommodate up to 500 personnel across two sittings, a major upgrade to the camp’s infrastructure. Senior Project Manager, Andy Green, shares his insights as construction continues to take shape.
“We are on track to complete the kitchen and dining facility by the end of 2025. The new facility is set to go live following the Christmas break, offering a modern, sustainable and efficient dining space for up to 500 personnel across two sittings.
“Since breaking ground, construction is almost complete and we have completed the mechanical and electrical (M&E) first fix and are now preparing for the kitchen fit-out, followed by the M&E second fix.
“The facility remains on schedule for handover at the end of 2025.
SUSTAINABILITY IN ACTION
“One of the project’s central goals is sustainability and the facility is being built to be fully electric. A photovoltaic (PV) array is already in place, with battery storage to follow. This system will help reduce the site’s overall power demand, supporting the MOD’s wider drive to reduce fossil fuel dependency. The building is also set to achieve DREAM Excellent, the MOD standard for new builds, which recognises high performance in sustainability. A fully electric kitchen is a key milestone towards their Net Zero strategy.
LEARNING FROM NESSCLIFF
“The project continues to benefit from lessons learned during the kitchen build at Nesscliff Training Camp. One notable development is the inclusion of a covered delivery area, designed to enhance both efficiency and food safety during unloading.
“Stakeholder collaboration remains a strong point of the project. Colleagues from DIO, Landmarc, Hydrock, and ESS hold regular fortnightly progress meetings, supplemented by direct communication to ensure quick decision-making and avoid unnecessary delays.
WHAT’S NEXT?
“Looking ahead, the focus for the coming months will be planning for the Government Soft Landings (GSL) process, a framework designed to ensure the smooth transition of a building from construction into operation. This involves working closely with Landmarc and ESS to make sure operational colleagues receive the right training alongside their daily tasks.
“It’s important we don’t underestimate the role of the team in taking over our projects and making them operational. Balancing this with their day jobs is no small task, so getting this phase right is a key priority.
“With strong progress to date and preparations underway for operational handover, the team remains focused on ensuring a successful opening; following which the current pre war kitchen will be decommissioned, demolished and the site reinstated.”
