Part of Copthorne Barracks to be sold off
A shake-up of Army bases to accommodate a speeded-up return of all troops from Germany will mean the disposal of seven sites across the country including a barracks in Shropshire.
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said that 'elements' of Copthorne Barracks in Shrewsbury were being made available for disposal. He said overall the changes would save £240 million a year in running costs as soldiers are moved into 'clusters' in key locations.
Returning forces will mainly be stationed around Salisbury Plain, Edinburgh and Leuchars, Catterick, Aldershot, Colchester, Stafford and the East Midlands.
With the size of the Army already being substantially reduced, it will also mean several other sites losing their military presence.
Those being made available for disposal are Claro Barracks in Ripon; Howe Barracks in Canterbury; Craigiehall Barracks in Edinburgh and Cawdor Barracks in Brawdy in Pembrokeshire.
Also available for disposal are elements of Redford Barracks in Edinburgh; Forthside Barracks in Stirling and Copthorne Barracks.
Around 11,000 British troops based in Germany will return home by 2016 under plans which will see nearly £2 billion invested in Army housing and bases. That is 70 per cent of the total and ahead of the plan to have half out by that date.
The remaining 4,500 troops will be back in the UK by 2019, a year earlier than planned.
