Deepcut Barracks 'to become housing development' » Housing » 24dash.com

Plans to close the infamous Deepcut Army barracks will be announced today by the Ministry of Defence.

The main training centre at the Surrey military camp is expected to shut in 2013 as part of a review of military training facilities.

It is likely to be bulldozed to make way for a new housing development after it was decided that it did not represent value for money to keep it open beyond that date.

Details will be announced in a Commons written ministerial statement by Defence Minister Derek Twigg.

The base has been at the centre of controversy for years following the deaths of four young recruits between 1995 and 2000 amid allegations of harassment and bullying.

An independent review of the deaths by Nicholas Blake QC concluded they were probably self-inflicted but criticised Army training, citing "harassment, discrimination and oppressive behaviour".

The families of the soldiers who died at the barracks admitted the announcement brought "mixed emotions".

Geoff Gray, father of Private Geoff Gray, and Yvonne Collinson, mother of Private James Collinson, both said the decision seemed to be "a waste".

Mr Gray, who received a letter confirming the plans this morning, said: "I'm quite sad and suprised. It would appear that they have turned the place around big time.

"The recruits now have got a structured day, they have pumped a lot of staff in to change a place that was once a hellhole into a very well-run training camp.

"I think it is a shame that they are going to waste all that."

Mrs Collinson said: "When I first heard, I was surprised because meeting soldiers who are serving at Deepcut now it seems like the best camp in Britain and the safest.

"But given time to think about it, all those resources have come from other camps, the staff have been brought in from elsewhere, so I suspect that it is unsustainable."

The families warned that they would not let the issue of their children's deaths go away with the closure of the barracks.

Mrs Collinson said: "We are never going to forget that Deepcut existed and we won't let them (MoD) forget either. We are going to make sure that it doesn't get brushed under the carpet."

But she said that, on a personal level, she would not be sorry to see the camp go.

"If they want a volunteer to drive the bulldozer, I will be first in the queue."

Des James, father of Cheryl James, said: "Bulldozing a piece of land in Surrey doesn't bring closure for me and my wife.

"Today's issue is about Deepcut as a training base but the debate remains about the four deaths there, despite the Government's best spin."

He said he feared the decision to close the camp had been motivated by the Government's desire to bring the debate to a close.

"Part of me thinks that is a conspiracy theory too far but this Government has spent a lot of time and money creating the impression that everything that could be done has been done, even though they have failed to properly address the issues."