New multi-million pound build in Staffordshire will improve cadet’s training facilities
Ground has been broken and work started on a new Joint Cadet Centre in Stafford.
The project is being led by West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association (RFCA) and will provide new training facilities for the following units from Staffordshire and Birmingham (North Sector) Army Cadet Force (ACF): HQ Company, C Company (Stafford) unit, Corps of Drums. From the Royal Air Force Air Cadets the following units will move to the site: 395 (Stafford) Squadron, Aerospace Ground School and Wing Activity Centre.
The sustainable new build will contain two large classrooms, smaller break out rooms, offices and stores with the project is due for completion in summer 2025.
West Midland RFCA exists to support and enable Reserves and Cadets within the region. This project is being funded by the British Army under the Defence Estate Optimisation Programme, which sees any regional improvements on the Reserve and Cadet estate led by the RFCAs.
James Bellamy, Head of Estate at West Midland RFCA, said: "This is a fantastic development and we are pleased it has started. It has taken substantial work to get to this point following the sale and movement from the old site under the Defence Estate Optimisation Programme. This new build will provide the Cadet units with their own purpose built modern facility, which will improve the experience and training they can provide to the Cadets.”
Major Kevin O’Riordan, County Executive Officer for Staffordshire ACF, added: “The New Cadet facility will be a beacon for all young people in the Stafford area who want to be part of an exciting, challenging and rewarding cadet experience, having access to a purpose built modern cadet centre with both modern facilities and space will provide opportunities for both the Cadets and the community.”
Sentiments that were also echoed by the Royal Air Force Air Cadets.
Sustainability is key
Sustainability is a big part of this project with the design aiming to achieve the Ministry of Defence’s DREAM (Defence Related Environmental Assessment Methodology) Excellent standard.
DREAM is designed to assess a project’s impact on a wide range of environmental aspects including Biodiversity, External Environmental Quality, Energy, Internal Environmental Quality, Procurement, Travel, Water and Waste.
SC Architecture Ltd and Seddon Construction Ltd have been appointed to deliver this project.
Mark Stephens, Architect at SC Architecture Ltd elaborated on some of the sustainability design elements: “The building has been designed utilising a number of simple, robust techniques to improve its energy efficiency and minimise its long-term impact on the environment." These include:
- A simple form to minimise junctions and details that are disproportionately responsible for heat loss / air leakage
- Heating via air source heat pumps that, as the grid becomes decarbonised, will minimise reliance on fossil fuels
- Provision of a roof mounted solar array that, in conjunction with battery backup, will reduce reliance on the grid
- Heat recovery on all ventilation to ensure that heat losses are minimised while maintaining a healthy environment
- High levels of insulation (including triple glazing to all windows) that, in conjunction with the other features above, will enable the building to beat the current legislative requirements in terms of energy use by 100%
Jason Dimelow, Contracts Manager at Seddon Construction Limited commented: “Seddon are delighted to be involved with this prestigious project for the Armed Forces at the Beacon Barracks in Stafford as it is a fairly unique opportunity, and it will underpin the future of all the cadets in the Staffordshire area. We look forward to getting involved with all parties and in particular offering support to the local cadet community though our Corporate Social Responsibility plan which has been developed to suit the needs of the young people that will be using the facility.”
