Published by Jon Land for 24dash.com in Housing , Communities , Central Government
Thursday 21st August 2008 - 2:08pm

[img2=left]ftp://u37768419:fusilier@rwf-forum.co.uk/misc_pix/Armyaccommodation.jpg[/img2] The Army today showcased part of an £8.4 billion overhaul of soldiers' accommodation after Chief of the General Staff General Sir Richard Dannatt described some conditions as "appalling".

Sir Richard, 57, the Army's head, made the comment in June as part of a call for improved pay and conditions.

Today, a £10m refurbishment of married soldiers' quarters at The Dale Barracks in Chester was shown to the media.

Of 175 homes on the site 108 have so far been overhauled with new kitchens, bathrooms, roofing, insulation, rewiring and replastering.

Lance Corporal Matthew Thacker, 21, of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Welsh has lived on site with his pregnant wife Vicky, 22, for just five weeks.

Speaking after returning from Cyprus where the couple were stationed while LCpl Thacker's regiment saw duty in Afghanistan and Iraq, he praised the refurbished terraced homes.

Mrs Thacker - who is due to give birth to their first child, a girl, next month, said: "In Cyprus the accommodation was much older but bigger, it was more spacious than this.

"We weren't let down as such with the accommodation in Cyprus, it wasn't dirty or grubby, just much older.

"Coming here with everything being new is a lot better.

"It's an ideal place and we're glad we are having our baby here rather than in Cyprus.

"The house is modern with two bedrooms and plenty of storage space. I think it's lovely.

"I think for the work the soldiers do they should certainly have decent accommodation."

The couple, who are from Cwmbran in south east Wales and have been married for 16 months, pay £117 a month for the house and all the bills on top.

Derek Twigg, Defence Minister responsible for military accommodation, said: "I am delighted that we are welcoming the Royal Welsh back from Cyprus in this way, not least because it has served with distinction on various operations in recent years.

"The Dale is just one of a number of defence establishments where we are bringing low-grade housing up to the standard that our service personnel and their families deserve."

Major Charlie Vere-Whiting, of the Royal Welsh, said: "With just a few families still to move in, I am happy to say that we are settling in well and tackling the inevitable challenges of moving into new quarters, and that our soldiers are looking forward to living in high quality housing during our stay in Chester."

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said it expected to spend "£8.4b on all living accommodation over the next decade, including £3.4b on new-build and upgraded accommodation."