MP calls on council to find home for Newport cadets

The cadet centre, within the grounds of Burton Borough School, might have to be knocked down as part of expansion work at the school.

Planners want to widen an access road onto the site, which would mean the building would have to make way.

The land on which the centre sits is currently leased from Telford & Wrekin Council.

Wrekin MP Mr Pritchard, himself a former cadet, called on the local authority to find a new venue.

He said: "I fully support the expansion of Burton Borough School but the borough council should avoid at all costs Newport's Army Cadets unit closing.

"The council need to find a new and permanent home for the cadets. This is the largest detachment of Army cadets in Shropshire and one of the best units in the country.

"As a former cadet myself I know the value of the skills and training young people obtain serving in the cadets.

"The cadets and civilian and uniformed instructors and volunteers are a credit to the local community and I hope local people will support my call for them to be given a new home."

The MP has written to borough council bosses asking them to act.

Telford & Wrekin Council has said it is working to find a solution, but confirmed that could mean finding a new location.

Parents and cadets have launched a petition calling for the centre to be saved, which has been put in about 15 shops in the town and has already attracted hundreds of signatures.

A meeting between parents and councillors is taking place tonight. It will be in the hall, starting at 7.30pm.