RAF base in North Yorkshire earmarked for closure
The Ministry of Defence has announced the closure of RAF Linton-On-Ouse near York, where 300 people are based.
The MOD said that the land would be sold and also confirmed the closure of RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, which is home to the Red Arrows display team.
RAF Linton-On-Ouse is currently a flight training school and will now be vacated by 2020. It is understood that fast jet training will be transferred to RAF Valley in Anglesey from 2019.
Downing Street defended the sale of RAF Scampton, stating it would save taxpayers £140m.
Kevin Hollinrake, Conservative MP for Thirsk and Malton, tweeted: “Very sad to hear confirmation of closure of RAF Linton-on-Ouse. Proud history, not least in WWII. Thoughts with all those who have been stationed there, and particularly the 300 families linked to the base today.”
The changes are being made under the Better Defence Estates Strategy, announced in 2016. The government said the changes “are the most significant since the end of the Second World War and will see the sale of 91 sites owned or managed by the MOD.”
The site sales will release land no longer required by the military, which the government said meant it would be used for more economically beneficial purposes, such as house building.
The government added: “The plans will save the taxpayer around £140 million by the end of the decade, rising to £3 billion by the end of 2040. The changes will also reduce the number of personnel being regularly moved between different bases, providing greater long-term stability and certainty for our Armed Forces and their families.
“All money raised will be reinvested back into defence, with £4 billion committed to improving military bases, including accommodation.”
RAF Linton-on-Ouse, the main base for the No.1 Flying Training School, will cease being an RAF Station in 2020 and the MOD is currently considering other potential defence uses, ahead of an eventual disposal of the site.
Minister for Defence People and Veterans Tobias Ellwood said: “Our military bases are where our service personnel live, train and work, so it’s important that we have sites which suit the needs of the armed forces.
“That’s why we’re making our defence estate more modern and efficient, by closing sites we don’t need and investing in more modern accommodation. As well as saving money, and allowing reinvestment back into a more modern and better defence estate, the changes will provide greater long-term stability and certainty for our Armed Forces and their families.”
