Mildren Construction were appointed as the Design and Build Contractor for the development of the new Bristow Search and Rescue Training Centre, located at Solent Airport. This facility forms a key part of Bristow Helicopters UK SAR training capacity and provides an entirely internal, highly controlled environment for day and night rescue simulations.

The project included the delivery of a technically complex building integrating advanced simulation environments, specialist equipment, and construction adjacent to an active airfield.

Project Scope & Facility Description

The works comprised the full design and construction of a single main training hall (RHT) and multi storey ancillary accommodation, totalling approximately 3,100 m². Key features included:

• Main training hall approximately 20.9 m to eaves and 22 m to ridge, measuring 75 m x 41 m overall.
• Integration of a crane mounted helicopter hoist system, enabling attachment of full size helicopter chassis for advanced rescue exercises.
• A 15 m high climbing wall and a 5 m deep indoor training pool with wave generation equipment to simulate severe sea rescue scenarios.
• A fully enclosed environment with no external windows, allowing controlled manipulation of weather, lighting, and blackout conditions.
• Ancillary spaces including classrooms, control rooms, medical rooms, plant rooms, offices, changing rooms, and welfare facilities.
• External works comprising 40 parking spaces, EV charging infrastructure, sub stations, secure cycle parking, motorcycle bays, and service compounds.
• The new transformer and switchgear was located in a substation separate of the main building which was built to meet SSE requirements.

Mildren’s proactive early engagement with design partners and key stakeholders allowed programme risks, such as airfield permissions, specialist equipment lead times, and deep excavation, to be mitigated early.