Developers wanting to use a military barracks in Didcot for housing are facing an unexpected delay.

The final departure of the military from Vauxhall Barracks could be delayed for "18 months or two years," according to the station commander.

Property agents have estimated if all the barracks' site were to be redeveloped, 600 new homes could be built.

Air Commodore Tim Howson also said the Ministry of Defence had decided not to sell off 60 homes within the complex, used to house families.

He added: "All the two- and three-bedroomed homes will be required for service personnel at Dalton Barracks, Abingdon, and RAF Benson after the barracks are vacated."

Air Cdre Howson said the Ministry of Defence was still in the process of establishing if the barracks would be required by another department.

But he expected that eventually the 33-acre site would be sold.

The delay is because a decision has not yet been made over the relocation of the Explosives Ordnance Disposal Regiment, which has its headquarters at Didcot.

Following a Ministry of Defence announcement earlier this year, it was expected the barracks, which has been a base for the British Army since 1915 and where about 250 people are employed, would be closed in the spring.

The main operation at the barracks -- responsible for managing munitions for the British armed forces worldwide -- is expected to transfer to Bath in March.

Town council leader Mike McNulty, who leads the Labour group on South Oxfordshire District Council, said: "As the district council is now considering its policies for Didcot in the South Oxfordshire Local Plan up to 2011, we need to know to what use the barracks site could be put."

The barracks' closure has become a matter of increasing concern to district planners.

So far, neither the local authorities or property developers -- who have drafted plans for 3,200 homes on Didcot's western boundary -- have been allowed access to survey the site.

Mr McNulty said he and David Buckle, the district council's chief executive, had held informal discussions with the station commander over the future of the barracks.

He said before the council could take account of the "enormous potential for redevelopment of the barracks site", a survey would need to be undertaken to see if any buildings, such as the officers' mess, and recreation areas should be retained.