More than 200 Aldershot-based soldiers have returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan to brand new homes.

Defence minister Derek Twigg was on hand for the official unveiling of the new Army homes last Thursday. 

The soldiers, from 27 Transport Regiment, have traded in their tired, out-dated accommodation at Buller Barracks for new single-living, en-suite flats at St Omer Barracks.

The new accommodation was delivered by construction and facilities management company Aspire Defence, under an £8 billion project dubbed Allenby/Connaught. The project has been transforming garrisons across Salisbury Plain and in Aldershot.

Julie Robertson, communications manager for Aspire, said: “We brought the building schedule forward so that when they came back, the new flats were ready.

“They got off their flight back from fighting in Afghanistan and sleeping in cots and they went straight into their new accommodation.

“It made a huge impact for all of them. It’s something that will be fit for what they are doing out there. The homes are homes for heroes.”

Homes for soldiers from 10 Transport Regiment, 261 Signal Squadron, 4 Royal Military Police and 120 Provost Company will be built in 2009.

In addition to new homes, the soldiers have been kitted out with new training facilities and plush new places to eat and socialise.

Defence minister Twigg was joined by the Army’s Regional Forces Commander, Lieutenant General Nick Parker, at the official unveiling.

The two men planted a tree to mark the occasion.

The MoD’s contract with Aspire, a joint venture between Carillion and KBR, incorporates construction and facilities management and runs over 35 years.

Peter Smart, chief executive of Aspire, said: “This project is all about making life better for soldiers and I am very clear we are doing that. Commanding officers tell me that it is already having a positive impact on their retention rate, and that is excellent.”

Mr Twigg said: “The standard of accommodation being provided by Project Allenby/Connaught really is first rate and no less than the soldiers deserve. Aldershot is the home of the British Army and I am delighted to have been invited to open the new accommodation and meet some of the soldiers living here.

“There is more to this than just the provision of accommodation. It includes the full range of support services as well as the maintenance of the accommodation over 35 years. This is a major strategic investment - and not just a quick fix.”

The buildings completed in Aldershot so far comprise six 36-man accommodation blocks, providing 216 single en-suite bedrooms for junior ranks, a large super diner capable of feeding 450 personnel in a single sitting complete with cafe bar, shop and internet cafe, and an office building housing a garrison headquarters and an Army Education Centre.

Sustainable features such as solar panels have been incorporated, as have special measures to encourage and protect local wildlife.