Closure won’t end army presence in town, pledge
DEFENCE Secretary Sir Michael Fallon has insisted the Army will maintain a presence in Brecon despite the sale of its barracks in the town.
Brecon Barracks, which dates back to 1805, was earmarked for closure in November.
It is one of three sites in Wales set to be sold as part of a military shake-up and will close its doors in 2027.
The other two are Sennybridge Storage Compound and Cawdor barracks, in Brawdy, Pembrokeshire.
Speaking at a visit to the 160th Infantry Brigade headquarters in Powys, Sir Michael Fallon confirmed the Brecon Infantry Battle School – which trains 3,500 infantry soldiers each year who are preparing to become future leaders in the Army – will remain in the town.
The school is not connected to the fast jet pilot training school at RAF Valley.
“Around 2,180 regulars are based across the country plus a thousand MoD civilian staff, demonstrating Defence’s continued long-term commitment to Wales.”
The closure plan for the barracks was met with criticism in November.
Conservative MP for Brecon and Radnorshire Chris Davies said: “The Government has a great deal of questions to answer over why it is proposing to close a well-loved and historic barracks in a vitally important military town. Brecon Barracks has served our country with distinction over its long history, with soldiers from the site fighting in every conflict since the early 18th century.
“This decision shows a blatant lack of respect for that history.”