Land sell-off nets MoD £2bn
Updated on 20 March 2008
While British troops have been engaged in regime change more than 2,500 miles away, a quiet revolution has been taking place closer to home.
Military land worth more than £2bn has been sold off in Britain since the start of the Iraq war, new research reveals.
The huge round of sales has seen the UK's defence estate shrink by the equivalent of 7,450 football pitches.
A former head of the Armed Forces has questioned whether the money from the sales has benefited frontline troops, and raised fears over its impact on training.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the sales - which have included landmarks such as Chelsea Barracks - have produced a more effective and efficient military.
Research by Channel 4 News online shows that more than £200m in land sales have been signed off each year since the Iraq war began.
A total of £278m was banked from sales in 2002/3, £207m in 2003/4, £212m in 2004/5, £258m in 2005/6 and £394m in 2006/7.
Research by Channel 4 News online shows that more than £200m in land sales have been signed off each year since the Iraq war began.
The huge totals are further supplemented by with sale of Chelsea Barracks in London, for £900m in late April last year.
General Charles Guthrie, head of the Army between 1997 and 2001, said he was concerned about the long-term impact of the sell-offs, which total more than 6,000 hectares.
He said: "It could have a serious impact on training - in terms of where they are going to train.
"There are going to be more and more Armed Forces based in the UK and training is a very serious element. They could be getting into trouble; you do need land."
Lord Guthrie, who notably clashed with former Chancellor Gordon Brown over military funding, also hinted that the MoD - and soldiers on the frontline - might not be feeling the benefit of the cash.
Much of the land -including former married quarters, airstrips, sports fields, military hospitals and firing ranges - has been snapped up by housing developers.
He said: "I would be surprised if the money from the sales has gone back to the MoD - at least not much of it - the Treasury has a veracious appetite."
Much of the land -including former married quarters, airstrips, sports fields, military hospitals and firing ranges - has been snapped up by housing developers.
Cdr John Muxworthy, of the UK National Defence Association, said: "It makes sense to make the best use of resources but it's folly to continuously devour one's own resources.
"Once it has gone we are never going to getting back. This land is vital to training and development."
A spokeswoman for the MoD said all of the money from the sales was channelled back into the defence budget.
She said training has "absolutely not" been influenced by the sales as the majority related to small pockets of land.
Although there are plans for many more sell offs in years to come, the MoD's land holdings still total 240,000 hectares.
Land sales
Chelsea Barracks, West London: £900m
Oakington Barracks, Longstanton, Cambridgeshire: £100m
RAF Staff College, Bracknell: £96m
Princess Mary's RAF Hospital and Halton Tennis Centre, Buckinghamshire: £31.5m
Atomic Weapons Establishment, Cardiff, South Wales: £18m
Deysbrook Barracks, West Derby, Liverpool: £17m
RAF West Raynham, Norfolk: £9m
Army Medals Office, Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire: £4m
Anzio Barracks, Leek, Staffordshire: £4m
Purfleet Rifle Ranges, Purfleet, Kent: £1.1m
