MoD scraps one of two proposed training centres at the 拢15bn military academy in St Athan, Wales

The 鈥渓argest ever鈥� PFI project, a 拢15bn military training academy in St Athan, Wales, has been cut by a third.

The St Athan defence training review (DTR) project was to have been delivered in two 鈥榩ackages鈥�; a training complex for engineering and systems students worth 拢10bn, and a smaller complex for specialist training worth 拢5bn.

Now, only one of the two training centres will go ahead, after the Ministry of Defence decided the Metrix consortium bidding for the scheme could not deliver the second package in an 鈥渁ffordable鈥� manner.

The larger 拢10bn package has been given the green light, and will see a 鈥渢raining village鈥� built in the Welsh countryside for up to 6,500 trainees and 3,500 military staff to live and work onsite.

Construction is expected to begin imminently, with completion of the new training centre due in 2013.

The Metrix consortium is made up of Land Securities Trillium, Laing O鈥橰ourke, Dalkia, and Currie & Brown, as well as other support services and training partners.

Architects HLM, Scott Brownrigg and Capita Architecture have created a provisional masterplan for the project.

Topics