RAF Cosford's future secured in U-turn

The base had been under threat from plans to site a £121 million Defence College of Technical Training at RAF Lyneham near Swindon, which would have been used by the Army, navy and RAF.

It would have seen three training "schools" and the people who work at them move from Cosford to the new site.

But that will no longer happen following an announcement by Secretary of State for Defence, Michael Fallon in a written statement.

Instead the base is being given extra work, with a fourth school moving from MoD St Athan up to Cosford as a result of the revised shake-up.

Mr Fallon said the plan to move everything to Lyneham was "no longer the best solution" and revealed it would now only be used by the Army.

RAF Cosford station commander, group captain Mark Hunt OBE, said he was delighted at the announcement.

"This is excellent news for RAF Cosford and for Shropshire," he said.

"Since the base was opened in 1938 on the eve of the outbreak of World War Two, we have been a part of the local community.

"A number of our RAF personnel from all over the UK go on to make their homes in Shropshire, and of course a lot of local people work on the base as civil servants and contractors.

"We have always felt like we are part of the Shropshire family and, with this decision, it's great to know we aren't leaving home."

Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard said the announcement completed a remarkable turn-around for the base, which just five years ago stood on the verge of being mothballed.

Doubt was cast over the future of RAF Cosford as a military base when the previous government announced it wanted to construct a defence super-centre at an air force base in St Athan, in South Wales. The plans were eventually scrapped.

Mr Pritchard, a long-time supporter of the air base, said: "Only a few years ago it looked like RAF Cosford would be mothballed and lose defence work to RAF St Athan.

"Under a Conservative government RAF Cosford has been saved and is now attracting new defence work from St Athan. This is a complete change around and great news for all of Shropshire. RAF Cosford has a bright and prosperous future."

Remaining at Cosford now following the rethink is the No.1 School of Technical Training, the Aeronautical Engineering & Management Training School and the No.1 Radio School.

Subject to further work, Mr Fallon said, the schools will be joined at RAF Cosford by No.4 School of Technical Training from St Athan.