Talk:Project MoDEL
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Project MoDEL (Ministry of Defence Estate in London) is implementing the MOD Estate Strategy by combining operations from a number of sites across Greater London at RAF Northolt and represents a significant rationalisation of the MOD’s estate in Greater London. MoDEL will result in the development of an integrated, state-of-the art ‘anchor site’ at RAF Northolt; the relocation of existing London-based units there; and the disposal of MOD sites surplus to requirements. The intention is for service men and women will be re-housed in new, high quality accommodation at RAF Northolt which will benefit from an initial £180 million facelift.
In parallel, through the release of the surplus sites, Project MoDEL will free up to 100 hectares of predominantly Brownfield land within the M25 – providing potential for new homes for the capital. The surplus sites that will be released for disposal are at RAF Uxbridge, RAF Bentley Priory, Inglis Barracks in Mill Hill, Victoria House in Woolwich, RAF Eastcote and RAF West Ruislip.
[edit] Contract Award
Defence Estates awarded the smaller Project MoDEL contract for the relocation of the British Forces Post Office (BFPO) Operational Facility, to Bovis Lend Lease on 3 July 06. The current BFPO facility at Inglis Barracks, Mill Hill, are old and in poor condition and their new operational facility will provide a modern fit-for-purpose postal sorting facility at RAF Northolt.
The larger Project MoDEL contract responsible for delivering the wider development at RAF Northolt and disposal of surplus sites was awarded to VSM Estates on 3 August 2006. VSM Estates is a joint venture between international construction company VINCI PLC and developer and regeneration specialist St Modwen Properties PLC.
Whilst the smaller MoDEL contract delivering the BFPO’s operational facility was procured as a traditional stand alone Prime Contract the larger Project MoDEL contract was procured using the Prime Plus Contracting (PPC) methodology. Prime Plus Contracting is an innovative means of funding a high-profile property project and is designed to maximise results while minimising costs. PPC uses the value of the sites that are to be released to fund construction costs.
VSM Estates are responsible for funding the project; project managing the construction requirements at RAF Northolt; the relocation of units to Northolt and the actual disposal of the surplus sites. (Following the completion of construction at RAF Northolt VSM Estates are required to maintain the buildings for a further 3 year period.
The potential of the PPC methodology for application across other areas of Government has been widely recognised, including HM Treasury and the Office of Government Commerce.
[edit] Delays
Units from other Military establishments were expected to move to RAF Northolt Dec 07 but have at present been delayed till April 08 with the project expected to slip further to the right. Currently palsn to temporary house personnel at other units are bveing considered as living accomodation has not been built on time. Addiational living accomodation is not expected to be ready until 2009 and will mean the retaining RAF Uxbridge for longer than expect.
[edit] Disposal of land'
Project MODel has been extensively critized by both military and Civilian Personnel for lack of communication and slippage of living and personnel accomodation. The orignal planned move has slipped by nearly 5 months. Trade unions complain that this is giving a lot of uncertainly to civilian personnel at RAF bentely Priory looking for new jobs.
Many question also its ability to release affording housings and the relatively small amount the goverment is receving for prime building land. Contractors are expected to make huge profits on highly sort after prime development but acting as "middle men" in the transfer of the land. The first land sale was agreed selling an ex-USAF base at eastcoate to wimpy for develop in housing. No details of how much the goverment will recieve of the sale has been released.
