Leuchars Station: Army Basing Programme Phase 5

Opportunity

Founded as RAF Leuchars in 1920, Leuchars Station in Fife spent almost a century as an RAF base before its ownership was transferred to the British Army in 2015. When they moved to Leuchars from Germany in late 2014, Army personnel from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards initially used the former RAF facilities. However, it was clear that refurbishments and new facilities were needed to meet the current and future requirements of the Army.

As part of Army Basing Programme Phase 5, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) engaged Mott MacDonald as Technical Services Provider (TSP) to lead the design and delivery of this transformation.

Solution

The project included new and refurbished office accommodation, vehicle inspection, garaging and workshops, and specialist storage facilities. We developed the design for each building, firstly through an addendum to the original assessment study (RIBA Stage 2), and then RIBA Stage 3 designs for the preferred option, with full engagement from stakeholders. To fully inform the designs we planned, procured and managed a range of surveys including ground investigation, intrusive building services and point cloud surveys.

We drew on our experience in architectural, civil, structural and building services design, together with our environmental, sustainability and cost analysis expertise, to design modern and compliant facilities, obtain planning and listed building consents and deliver all tender documentation for business case approval.

As the buildings for refurbishment were occupied, we developed a phasing plan and associated enabling works to ensure minimum disruption to daily outputs of the units.

We engaged with the units and established what buildings were available for use on a temporary basis whilst each refurbishment took place. We then provided project management services throughout the construction period.

Outcome

Planning approval for the project was granted in September 2020 and the final business case submitted in March 2022. Construction is now underway and is scheduled to finish in late 2024. When complete, the project will provide the Army with facilities suitable for the 21st century, whilst minimising disruption to end users.