MILITARY medics will not be able to move back into their Longbridge homes until the New Year, after ‘fire defects’ were found.
Glenart Castle Mess was closed for maintenance works back in July and hasn’t reopened since.
Last month, government bosses confirmed the mess, which opened back in 2017 as purpose-built accommodation for military medics working at the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine (RCDM) at
Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital, would reopen back to its original use on Armistice Day.
However, Defence Department minister, Luke Pollard, has written to the Northfield MP Lawrence Turner confirming it will not be re-opening on that date and those based there could not move back in.
Glenart Castle Mess was closed for an upgrade to the water system infrastructure in the building, and while many problems were rectified, several more unrelated fire safety issues were identified.
These fire issues were subject to an urgent survey, which showed several more defects that needed to be addressed immediately.
It is anticipated that the further remedial work will take approximately six months to complete, with the Defence Fire Regulator advising that the building shouldn’t be reoccupied until the defects are corrected.
Laurence Turner said: “I think there are serious questions to be answered about why there are so many serious issues in a building that was completed in late 2017. I will be asking them in Parliament.
“My thoughts are with the defence personnel who are normally resident in the constituency and who now face an extended period of disruption.”
Mr Pollard told Mr Turner in a letter: “A suitably qualified contractor has been identified to undertake the work as quickly as possible, and the Department is currently reviewing costings.
“I would like to reassure you that there will be no reduction in Defence’s ability to meet our contractual obligations with the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, where the majority of personnel based at Glenart Castle routinely work.
“The Department has engaged with the CEO to explain the situation, and personnel will be fully briefed and supported by the Commanding Officers.
“The situation was not anticipated and is frustrating; however, the health and safety of our personnel is of paramount importance.”
