THE Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced it will dispose of Longmoor Camp as part of plans for a “better defence estate”.

Documents from the MoD outline the project and confirm the “estimated disposal date” is 2019, at which point “all military units at the site will be re-provided for”.

But the fate of the 32 civilian staff employed at Longmoor remains unclear.

East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds said that detailed plans are not yet available but said consultations will be launched prior to the site’s transformation.

“The announcement of the MoD’s intention to dispose of Longmoor is part of a long-term strategic review of our military capability and assets, ensuring we have the right resources deployed as efficiently as possible,” he added.

“This inevitably leads to changes in how and where units and support services are located, including the defence equipment and support services currently based at Longmoor.

“Although we don’t yet know the full details of the changes, the services are due to re-located elsewhere and I understand that consultations will take place to try to secure the best outcome for any civilian jobs that may be affected.

“We should be proud of the long association that Longmoor has had with the armed forces and for the contributions it has made to military campaigns past and present.”

Hampshire county councillor Adam Carew said he will be keeping a close eye as more details emerge.

“I take a deep interest in what happens to Longmoor Camp as it is in my county council division and also my Walldown Ward,” he said. “It lies within the parish of Whitehill and the associated Longmoor training area contains the last vestiges of what was the Royal Hunting Forest of Woolmer. The news of the base’s closure and release for housing will probably come as a surprise to the local community.

“We are very proud of our military connections here in Whitehill and Bordon and after over a century of Army presence at Longmoor we will be very sad to see them go.

“I’m concerned about the loss of associated civilian jobs and am pleased the MoD will make every effort to assist those affected.”

He went on to say it is currently “uncertain” whether the sale of the camp will impact on Longmoor’s associated defence training area, land he describes as “highly sensitive”.

“This is currently administered from Longmoor Camp and is of international importance for wildlife,” Mr Carew explained. “The high-powered Longmoor Conservation Group, which was set up in the early 1970s to safeguard this sensitive area, has become the model for the British Army wherever there are based across the world.

“When the camp is released for development every effort must be made to protect these historic Wealden heathlands at Longmoor and Woolmer for future generations.

“Given the Government’s sale of MoD estates in the South for housing it was perhaps, after the closure of Bordon garrison, only a matter of time that Longmoor went too.”

Falling within the South Downs National Park, any potential development on the site will likely be subject to relatively stringent planning considerations and public engagement.

“There has been an Army base on Longmoor for more than 100 years, being erected in 1900 a year after Bordon camp,” Mr Carew added.

“Longmoor Camp is not currently in the local plan. It is a large site but there will be constraints. Extensive public consultation will be needed over the next few years while the Army prepare to move out by 2019.”

Announcing the decision, Mark Lancaster, parliamentary under secretary of state at the MoD, wrote: “Today, the Defence Secretary, the Rt Hon Michael Fallon MP, is announcing a better defence estate in the House of Commons. This strategy has examined the defence-built estate across the UK with the aim of taking a comprehensive, long-term and strategic approach to its configuration to deliver UK military capability, affordably and as efficiently as possible.

“The strategy will facilitate significant economic benefits, both in terms of the employment opportunities that will arise for the construction and services industries across the UK and in the release of surplus land for new housing and commercial development.”

He explained that Longmoor was one such site, before adding: “I am aware that this announcement will have an impact on 32 civilian staff employed at the site. My officials will carry out necessary consultations with trade unions in order to achieve the optimal outcome for any staff affected in any closures that may result. We do not yet know the detail of these changes, nor the definite timescale for their implementation.

“The MoD will continue the process of detailed planning and necessary engagement with the authorities concerned. This will take time and I hope you will support these proposals as we go through that process.”