A significant step has been taken in the delivery of new Single Living Accommodation (SLA) at HM Naval Base Clyde, with Kier GRAHAM Defence (KGD) erecting the first prefabricated concrete panels on-site.

The panels, weighing between ten and eighteen tonnes, will form four new accommodation blocks, two of which are specifically designed for submariner trainees.

The £166 million project, delivered in partnership with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), is part of the wider Clyde Infrastructure Programme, which aims to prepare the Naval Base to support the next generation of Dreadnought Class deterrent submarines. The trainee blocks are scheduled for completion in late 2026, with the remaining two SLA blocks set to open in early 2027.

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Since planning and funding were approved just a year ago, KGD has driven rapid progress by using prefabricated construction techniques. This method helps to expedite installation, reduce the workforce needed, and minimise material waste while maintaining high standards of quality and sustainability. Chris MacLeod, Regional Director at GRAHAM Building, said the pace and efficiency of the operation are due to the expertise of the site teams and the use of modern construction methods. Dan Ross, Director of Nuclear Infrastructure at the DIO, added that the progress is a "testament to genuine collaboration" between the Royal Navy, the DIO, and their supply chain partners.

The new accommodation is seen as vital for the operational readiness and wellbeing of the personnel who serve at HM Naval Base Clyde, which has supported the UK’s at-sea nuclear deterrent for more than 50 years. A number of representatives from the Royal Navy and the DIO were present on Wednesday, 20 August, to mark the milestone.

Image courtesy of Royal Navy