MAJOR changes to the way the Army estate in Tidworth is run could flow from the decision to appoint Aspire Defence as the preferred bidder for a 30 year contract worth billions of pounds.

Project Allenby will involve the adoption and management of the existing estate and then subsequently the design, refurbishment, construction, financing and integration of new facilities.

"Aspire Defence is a joint venture between Kellogg Brown & Root and Mowlem plc, set up specifically to deliver a package of services over the next 30 to 35 years, which will improve soldiers single living accommodation, leisure and recreational facilities and technical and administrative services and accommodation," said chief executive Peter Smart in an open letter.

A central focus of the change is the need to improve facilities for single soldiers but the group is also expected to look for efficiency savings.

Aspire say they have already had meetings with trade unions and will send out explanatory letters outlining their plans and hold meetings and road shows in the coming months.

For the public the most noticeable change may take place at the Tidworth Leisure Centre but Kennet District Council's chief executive Mark Boden says no changes are planned at present as a result of the project.

"The base position is that the Army runs the whole building and different people such as Wiltshire County Council and ourselves run different things inside the building," said Mr Boden.

"We run leisure facilities and have a shared use agreement with the Army.

"Nothing changes as a result of the Aspire company taking over the role from the MoD. "However, Aspire may well want to do things differently when they step in and we will be delighted to talk to them."