Families are now returning to modern, refurbished homes in Woolwich following their deployment in Cyprus. The first upgrades, delivered ahead of the return of the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, are giving our Service families improved, contemporary housing as they settle back into life in the UK.
The improvements were recently showcased during a visit by Defence Secretary John Healey MP and local MP and Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook, who toured some of the newly upgraded properties. During their visit, Ministers were able to see first‑hand the changes being made and meet some of the families who have already returned.
The homes visited form part of a £10 million investment in Woolwich, including 130 properties being refurbished and wider improvements to the local area. More information about the regeneration taking place in Woolwich can be found on here.
Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion, The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment (1 PWRR), Lt Col Alexander Cherry said:
“For our 1 PWRR families, being able to see significant improvements to their future homes in Woolwich has been very positive and welcome news. The significant refurbishment and modernisation goes far beyond what we expected, and it has reassured and instilled confidence in our families and Soldiers as we look forward to returning from Cyprus. Huge thanks and congratulations to DIO and their partners.”
Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said:
“Our Armed Forces and their families give so much in service to this country, and when they return from deployment they deserve to come home to a property they can be proud of. That’s exactly what we’re delivering here in Woolwich – modern, refurbished homes fit for heroes, backed by our government’s record investment. I’m determined that every service family gets the decent home they deserve.”
Woolwich is just one example of the transformation taking shape across military housing. These improvements form part of the Defence Housing Strategy, a ten‑year plan backed by £9 billion to modernise, refurbish or rebuild more than 40,000 homes in the UK.