Bids on the table for Shrewsbury's Copthorne Barracks, Ministry of Defence confirms

Copthorne Barracks was put up for sale in August last year, with the land marketed as an opportunity to build housing.

Helen Pickering, of the MoD, said that offers for the site were now being reviewed in conjunction with JLL, the firm which has been conducting the sale of the land. She added: "A number of proposals for the site and its future have been received and we and our agents are considering the offers."

The Shropshire Star understands that developers looking at the land were concentrating on a largely housing-led scheme.

The announcement follows news earlier this week that plans to redevelop another of Shrewsbury's historic buildings, the Dana Prison, had taken a huge step forward with the submission of a planning application to Shropshire Council.

Shrewsbury and Atcham MP Daniel Kawczynski had previously suggested that the site could form part of University Centre Shrewsbury.

He said: "The Ministry of Justice took great care to sell the prison to the most appropriate buyer – a buyer that actually had a plan worked out which was worthwhile for Shrewsbury.

"The Ministry of Justice went through a very painstaking process to make sure it was not sold off to the highest bidder but that negotiations took place on the end use for Shrewsbury. I very much hope the Ministry of Defence follows that course so it takes into consideration the end use."

The total area being sold is up to 16 hectares and includes a range of buildings, living accommodation, and sports facilities – including sports pitches and tennis courts.

Bids for the land were invited on the basis that it can be used for housing or a "mixed use" development.

Originally the depot of the King's Shropshire Light Infantry.