DEFENCE Secretary Liam Fox confirmed this week that Arborfield garrison will close by 2015.

The announcement followed The Chronicle's exclusive report in April when Dr Fox revealed the decision in a letter to Wokingham MP John Redwood, making way for a major new housing development on the land.

The closure decision came less than a year after the Ministry of Defence said it was reversing its 2007 plans to close the garrison. Members of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and other troops stationed there will now be switched to RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire.

Wokingham borough highways and planning leader Cllr Angus Ross said: "The army has been part of Arborfield for almost a century and it is an association we are proud of. However, the announcement comes at an opportune time as we are preparing to consider the new masterplans in the next few months.

"It enables us to positively plan this development with more certainty - not only providing more housing but also a secondary school and primary schools for the south of the borough, along with other commercial and community developments."

The garrison was identified in the council's adopted core strategy as part of one of four Strategic Development Locations (SDLs), along with land South of the M4, North Wokingham and South Wokingham, which have been earmarked for 10,000 new homes by 2026.

But Borough Cllr Gary Cowan, who represents the Arborfield ward, said: "I think it is a disappointment that the army are going because they are such a part of the community. What is important is that the development and infrastructure are put in place sensibly, so we do not end up with a terrible shambles. We could have 11 years of development and I do not want to see a building site.

"We now know more than we did, but there is still a lot of uncertainty surrounding this."

A consultation on the SDL proposals will close on Wednesday [27] and comments can be emailed to: spd@wokingham.gov.uk or posted to: Cris Lancaster, Masterplanner, Wokingham Borough Council, Civic Offices, Shute End, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG40 1WL.