Claim of 600 homes at Clive Barracks 'way off the mark'
Rumours that an Army barracks earmarked for closure could be turned into 600 homes are "way off the mark", a Shropshire councillor insisted today.
Market Drayton mayor David Minnery spoke ahead of a meeting involving MP Owen Paterson to discuss the future of Clive Barracks in Tern Hill.
Every option will be considered when it comes to redeveloping the site, Councillor Minnery said today.
The meeting, on Friday, will be held at Shirehall and is part of a process to decide what development should be allowed.
Councillor Minnery said: "The meeting will discuss future uses. Everybody is pretty much accepting that the Army needs to move troops somewhere else – there is no point trying to resist that.
"It is not a Governmental decision so it is instead a question of what replaces it.
"The thought that there may be 600-plus homes is way off the mark. We don't know what will be there."
The Ministry of Defence announced earlier this year that it would close the barracks, which is home to the 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment.
At the time, it said the site had potential to provide land for up to 600 houses, but Councillor Minnery said nothing had been decided for the future use of the area.
Last month it was revealed the MP for North Shropshire has set up a new task force to ensure that the closure and redevelopment of the barracks runs smoothly after it closes in 2020.
The base is one of 10 sites across the country that will be disposed of to generate extra money – but not every site will follow the same plan for its use.
The money generated from sale of the land will be ploughed back into defence spending and it has been claimed most of the sites will be sold in time to contribute to the Government's target of 160,000 new homes by 2020.
Councillor Minnery said that while it was a big issue for the area, he had not been approached by residents with ideas or hopes for the site.
He said: "It has been quiet really. The reason I am involved is because it will no doubt have an economic impact on the town. Most of the troops that are moving out spend money in the town, all that trade will be lost and will need to be replaced one way or another. Every option will be considered for the site."
