Petition launched to save Shrewsbury's Copthorne Barracks site from redevelopment

Members of the Light Infantry Association want to preserve the site and use it as a base for homeless ex-servicemen and women who need help when leaving the forces.

Awareness

Norman Mcguigan, 55, who served in the First Battallion of the Light Infantry from 1979 onwards, has already helped organise a protest march at the site and has now set up the petition to raise awareness.

He said homelessness among former soldiers was a growing problem and the barracks would be a perfect place to provide a facility for those affected.

Mr Mcguigan, who is originally from Gateshead but now lives in Hertfordshire, said: "Two years ago we realised that closure was coming about and we were not aware that the Light Infantry Association were not able to hold anymore reunions there which came as a shock. At the start, everybody thought we were a few old soldiers who were sentimental about wanting to keep the barracks open for our reunions. That is not the issue.

"The real issues are PTSD and suicide among the ex-servicemen and women on the streets.

"We know that at any one time we have got about 3,500 ex-servicemen and women sleeping on the streets. It should not be happening.

"We would like to see it become a facility to house homeless ex-servicemen and women. The infrastructure is there and it is not a problem to get gas and electricity installed. We are looking for somebody to purchase it and then turn it into that sort of facility.

"It is something we have thought seriously about. It is not something we have done on a whim. We think we have got the structure there we just need somebody on board saying yes we can do this. It can be done."

Plans have been lodged with Shropshire Council to turn the barracks into 174 houses and 45 retirement units on the site of the former barracks.

Under the proposal the keep will also be converted into nine residential apartments.

The petition has gathered more than 300 signatures.

Mr Mcguigan said if the development went ahead, it would be heartbreaking."

for those who had served there, hence setting up the petition.

He said: "It would be horrendous and heartbreaking if it happened.

"Year on year the numbers coming to our reunions are dwindling because they're at the football club not the barracks. It is not our home.

"I would urge people to think of all the people that have served since World War One and the current forces and think about where they are going to go if they leave the services. Where will they get their injuries sorted out?

"We have got regiments being disbanded, Come 2026, another five are going so what are they going to do? These guys are going to need something.

"My plea would be please sign it and let us fight for its future and see if we can do it."

At the time of writing, more than 300 people have signed the petition. It can be found at https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/175130