PLANS for the major expansion of MoD Stafford have been confirmed with redevelopment contracts due to be awarded next summer.
Stafford MP Jeremy Lefroy says he wants to ensure as many contracts as possible are made available to Stafford and Stone firms and is pushing the case with ministers.
The plans, part of the Army’s Borona Project, have been in the pipeline since bosses announced the Beaconside base was the preferred choice for the two Signals regiments who will return from their current home in Germany by the end of 2015.
In the meantime the Stafford base is set to be overhauled, with several buildings demolished or revamped to make way for new offices, accommodation, an officers’ mess, a centralised hub and gym.
The MoD is currently in the commercial phase of the process.
Bidders for the work include Skanska, Land Lease, Kier and Carillion.
This week Mr Lefroy said he had received confirmation from Armed Forces minister Andrew Robotham that contracts should be awarded next summer.
He said: “I am very keen that as many contracts as is possible are available to local firms and I will continue to press the case for that with the Ministry of Defence.
“However, the redevelopment and the expansion of the base itself is good news for local employment, both securing jobs and creating new ones.
“I am delighted that everything is on track and the Minister has confirmed the move will go ahead in 2015.
“This will be a great boost to the town and we need to make sure we are ready.” The move is set to result in 450 families, including 600 children, coming into Stafford.
The MoD plans to build 370 new homes on a site opposite the base to house some of the intake, while others will take up housing elsewhere in the area.
