Bath MP Don Foster can reveal that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is considering leaving all of their premises in Bath. Previously, the MoD had admitted that it was planning to move Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) services out of sites in Foxhill and Warminster Road, but it was assumed MoD staff would remain at Ensleigh. Now the MoD is studying the possibility of moving Ensleigh staff to the new site in Abbey Wood.

Bath MP Don Foster has written to the Parliamentary Undersecretary of State for Defence, Kevan Jones MP, asking for further information and to secure a meeting to discuss the subject. Don said,

This announcement is worrying, as it could see further jobs leaving Bath. Ensleigh has just had a major IT infrastructure upgrade, so I believe it makes sense to keep MoD jobs at the site. Any move would also increase congestion in the area, as Bath-based staff would have to make their way to Abbey Wood.

Don is also seeking further information about the Warminster Road and Foxhill sites, especially information on the timescale of departure.

Don added,

We need to know more about the MoD’s plans for these sites, they have kept us in the dark for too long now. I want to know whether other government departments are planning to move in, or whether these sites could be used for new affordable housing or new business premises. We need answers to these questions now so that we can plan effectively for the future of the city.

Lib Dem Councillor Cherry Beath, whose ward includes the Foxhill site, said,

Residents know that the MoD plans to vacate Foxhill, but at the moment they simply don’t know what is going to happen with the site. I am pleased that Don is seeking a meeting with Kevan Jones MP and I hope we can start to plan for the future of Foxhill. Without some honesty and information from the MoD, we will be unable to do this.

Fellow Combe Down Councillor Roger Symonds added,

The effect of closure of MoD Foxhill on the local economy will be huge, but the uncertainty that the MoD is creating by not making an early decision does not allow local businesses to deal with the effects of any closure. Neither does it give the Council much time to mitigate the affects of closure of any of the sites on local communities. I support Don in trying to get some answers from the MoD.