Deloitte & Touche does want to go to Chelsea

Deloitte & Touche has been appointed to advise and project manage the redevelopment of Chelsea Barracks, as part of a new private finance initiative (PFI) under the Ministry of Defence.

The firm will expect to complete the project by 1.January 2000. It estimates that the cost of refurbishing Chelsea Barracks will be around u35m.

“We are looking for firms with property development and construction skills that will give the MoD the best possible value for money-any one organisation or a number of organisations in a consortium,” said Deloitte partner Mike Kerr, leader of the firm’s private finance initiative.

Property investors, construction companies and banks have been invited to bid to rebuild Chelsea barracks and provide services accomodation for 1,000 personnel. The site will be reduced because the Ministry of Defence will transfer 12 acres of the Chelsea site to the private sector.

The project also includes redeveloping the administration function, building and hotel services, catering, cleaning and laundry departments.

“There will be constraints on building on the site,” said Kerr. “The Ministry of Defence will have certain requirements, but more constraining will be planning permission through Kensington and Chelsea council.”

The state of disrepair at Chelsea has meant that troops have been staying at the Hounslow Barracks.