MOD LYNEHAM will receive a multi-million pound makeover, to make it a better workplace and home for soldiers who are returning to the UK from Germany next year.

The £35 million MoD contract, part of the Army Basing Programme, will see new accommodation, offices, an armoury and sports facilities built at the Lyneham base.

ABP requirements manager Lt Col Gary Spencer said: “This is an important milestone to enable the timely delivery of infrastructure at Lyneham.

“I am very much looking forward to working closely with Kier Graham Defence Ltd to deliver this project and provide fit-for- purpose facilities for our service personnel.”

The provision for the new and upgraded facilities will allow soldiers from 5 Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers to be moved to Lyneham from Bulford and Tidworth early next year, which will enable the return of 3 Bttn REME from Germany.

MOD Lyneham will then become a Centre of Excellence for electrical and mechanical engineering.

The construction works will begin in May and are due to be completed by June 2020, with the first facilities being occupied in May 2019.

ABP programme director, Mark Duddy, said: “This is a brilliant example of how we are investing in infrastructure across the UK. In addition to providing first-rate facilities for our armed forces these works are also a key enabler for the return of units from Germany.

“I look forward to seeing progress across Lyneham.”

The MoD said the Army Basing Programme infrastructure investment, delivered through the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, provides the facilities the British Army needs to live, work and train in the UK as it returns from Germany, settles in to bases across the UK and restructures to its future Army 2020 formations.