UPDATE: 'Town will suffer as a result of military base closures' 

CLOSING three military bases in the county will mean a loss of an ‘integral part of communities’ say town leaders.

As revealed in yesterday's Oxford Mail the Government will sell off Dalton Barracks in Abingdon, Vauxhall Barracks in Didcot and St David’s Barracks in Bicester by 2029.

The review, of 56 defence sites set to close by 2040, will save £140m and make way for 55,000 homes.

Oxford West and Abingdon MP Nicola Blackwood said: “Dalton Barracks is a valued part of our community and will be much missed. This is a big change for our area so it is right that that the Ministry of Defence will be phasing the closure up to 2028/29 and that the land is earmarked to build much needed homes.”

Dalton Barracks and Abingdon Airfield will close by 2029 and includes 3 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps, 4 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps, 21 Military Intelligence Company and 2 Military Intelligence Battalion.

Abingdon town council leader Sandy Lovatt, who served for decades in the Army before retiring as a major, added: “It’s a shame to lose them. This town has always liked its regiments.

“One of the biggest shocks will be to the families. We are going to lose a relationship here. We will be very sorry to see them go.”

The cuts confirmed Vauxhall Barracks will be sold off and the 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment Royal Logistic Corps and 421 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squadron relocated to MoD Kineton by 2028.

Steve Connel, mayor of Didcot, said: “Vauxhall Barracks was one of the key cornerstones of Didcot and it will be really sad to see them go.

“It is an integral part of the town, just as much as the railway and just as much as the power station.

“I have a friend who was in the bomb disposal unit and there is not a day I do not think and thank them for what they have done.

“It is very hard to hear they will no longer be there but we do not know what the future holds, we have literally just found out.”

St David’s Barracks will close in 2028 and a decision on where the servicemen will move has not yet been confirmed.

Banbury MP Victoria Prentis added: “I have already spoken to Minister Mark Lancaster TD MP about the planned closure and emphasised the importance of working closely with the local authority to find a suitable use for the land. The announcement has given us plenty of time to plan for the future.

“I’m pleased Bicester will retain a strong military presence with other barracks.”

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon confirmed the sale of the sites yesterday.

Sir Michael said: "This strategy looks ahead to 2040 to provide a better defence estate.

"An estate that supports a more efficient and effective military capability; an estate that gives our armed forces a world class base from which to work, and an estate that helps defence keep Britain safe and to promote our prosperity."

MP for Wantage, Ed Vaizey, said although it was sad to have such a historic part of the community go, it would be a viable site for housing in the town.

He said: “It is a well-loved regiment in Didcot and plays a very important part in the life of Didcot residents and whatever happens there will be a continued association of the town with 11 EOD.

“The future of Vauxhall Barracks has been debated for many years and in some ways this brings some helpful closure.

“It will take place over a long period of time, it is not over night and while it is unfortunate to lose the barracks, it will give an opportunity to build homes in the centre of Didcot.”

The closure of St David's Barracks in Bicester would see the relocation of 1 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps by 2028.