Shrewsbury army barracks sale is put on hold

The move, which means the land will go back on the market later this year, is intended to increase the value of the site and ensure the best return for the Treasury.

It comes after the Ministry of Defence announced it was considering "a number of offers" for the 16-hectare site last month.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: "The MoD is working with its agents JLL to consider submitting an outline planning application to Shropshire County Council for redevelopment of the site. It will then be marketed later this year or early in 2017."

It is understood that the planning application would be seeking to obtain permission for housing or a mixed use development on the site - something that would increase the value of the land.

All those who submitted bids for the site have been informed of the MoD's change of plan and will be invited to bid when it is marketed again.

Councillor Peter Nutting, who represents Copthorne, said the site should be used to create jobs, and that he would oppose any move to turn it into a housing estate.

He said: "One of the real issues at the barracks is what the future use is and as one of the local councillors I do not think it should be a housing site. I think it should be used for employment type uses and I will resist any housing site.

"I think a mixed use development could work, but what I would not want to see on that site is suburbia moving in with a load of detached four bedroom houses.

"We are building a lot of housing in Shrewsbury around the outskirts, do we need more at the barracks? Having built so much housing we need to look at creating jobs for people.

Councillor Nutting said he believed that the site should be incorporated in Shrewsbury's university.

He said: "The reality is I believe the Government should speak to Shropshire Council and enable them to use the barracks for employment purposes and to sort the university out, in terms of residential accommodation and tutorial space."

The total area being sold was up to 16 hectares and included 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.