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

MoD documents outline the project and confirm the estimated disposal year as 2019, at which point “all military units at the site will be re-provided for”.

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

East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds said that detailed plans were 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 be relocated elsewhere and I understand that consultations will be taking place to try to secure the best outcomes 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.”

Town, district and county councillor Adam Carew said he would be keeping a close eye on the plan 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 community.

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

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

He was uncertain whether the sale of the camp would have any impact on Longmoor’s defence-training area - an area of green, open land he described as “highly sensitive”. “This is administered from Longmoor Camp and is of international importance for wildlife,” he said. “The high-powered Longmoor Conservation Group, set up in the early 1970s to safeguard this sensitive area, has become the model for the British Army wherever they 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 in South Downs National Park, any development on the site will likely be subject to relatively stringent planning considerations and consultation.

“There has been an Army base at Longmoor for over 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 prepares to move out by 2019.”

Announcing the decision, Parliamentary under secretary of state at the MoD Mark Lancaster MP wrote: “Today the Defence Secretary, the Rt Hon Michael Fallon MP, is announcing A Better Defence Estate in the House of Commons.

“I am aware this announcement will have an impact on 32 civilian staff employed at (Longmoor). My officials will carry out necessary consultations with trade unions to achieve the optimal outcome for any staff affected in any closures that may result.”