Parts of Shrewsbury's Copthorne Barracks to be sold off by MoD
Parts of Shrewsbury's historic army barracks have officially been put up for sale after being deemed surplus to requirements by the Ministry of Defence.
About 80 military and civilian staff serving with The Headquarters 143 (West Midlands) Brigade at Copthorne Barracks have been transferred to Donnington in Telford – and now the unused parts of the barracks will be put up for sale.
Former owners of the site will not be given the land back, but are being traced to tell them why.
A notice from the MoD reads: "Land at former Copthorne Barracks, Copthorne Road, Shrewsbury has been declared surplus to Ministry of Defence requirements and is to be sold.
"The Crichel Down Rules require Government departments under certain circumstances, to offer back surplus land to the former owner or their successors in title at current market value.
"However, in this instance the land is not to be offered back because exemptions apply.
"MoD therefore wishes to trace anyone who may fall within the definition of former owner or their successor in title contained in the Crichel Down Rules to notify them of the decision."
The former owners listed are Elizabeth Bromley, Richard Devereux Bromley and Marian Bromley.
It is likely the 202 Midlands Field Hospital and E (Rifles) Company, 4th Battalion the Mercian Regiment, which are Army Reserve units, will remain at the parts of the barracks which are not sold.
Helen Pickering, defence infrastructure organisation spokesman, said: "We can confirm that 0.193 hectares of land, which includes the Army Reserve Centre, is being retained by the Ministry of Defence. The remainder of the site will be sold."
Shropshire Council has ruled out a move to purchase the land at the base, which dates back to 1877. Councillor Keith Barrow, leader of the authority, said: "We have not bought Copthorne Barracks. However, it's an important site and we are speaking to the Defence Infrastructure Organisation about its future."
The Queen Mother visited Copthorne Barracks in 1968, 1974 and 1986 in her role as Colonel in Chief of the Light Infantry, and a gate at the barracks is named in her honour.
The former owners or their successors are invited to contact MoD by writing within two months of the date of this notice to Andrew Pullen-Jones, Defence Infrastructure Organisation, V19, Trafalgar House, Southgate, Donnington, Telford, TF2 8JX.
Successors in title will need to state and provide evidence of their relationship to a former owner.
