This new multi million pound aircraft facility for NPAS (National Police Air Service) is located on the historically important North Weald Airfield. It will provide an emergency/strategic response facility for the capital and South East. NPAS provide borderless air support to the 43 forces of England & Wales 24/7/365 from a national network of bases. NPAS helps keep communities safe and tasks which pose the highest risk to communities are prioritised in line with local police & crime plans.
The facility consists of a modular tensile fabric hangar (Rubb) to store and maintain up to 6 aircraft. Wrapped around the hanger on two sides is a single storey modular build accommodation unit (Acrol) providing engineering/maintenance, operational, welfare and training spaces.
The external works consist of a car park, aircraft apron to CAA airport standards, aircraft fuel storage tank with re-fuelling stations to CAA airport standards and general circulation for emergency escape – all within a high security compound.
The project team worked well together on this SCAPE contract and NPAS are very happy with the completed facility which was delivered on time and within budget. Watson Batty Architects prepared and lead on the successful local authority planning application prior to construction. We also undertook the role of lead design consultant and worked closely with Kier and Salus to achieve Building Regulations.
