Copthorne Barracks: Campaigner calling for building to become accommodation for ex-servicemen

Norman McGuigan, who is leading the campaign to save Copthorne Barracks in Shrewsbury from private developers, will meet officials at Shropshire Council to explain his plans.

He has invited Haig Housing, which provides housing assistance to ex-service people and/or their dependants, to attend the meeting.

Mr McGuigan has previously called on Shropshire Council to consider the possibility of an alternative use for the barracks rather than allowing the site to be sold to a private developer for housing.

He said: "The idea was to save the history and heritage of Copthorne Barracks, once home for many of us.

"Then of course, assuming we could, the next question was what to do with them?

"There seemed only one logical conclusion – they should be used for the benefit of veterans in complying with the military covenant and keeping the long history of the military in the area.

"Today, it's clear that we have been heard, and the original idea and campaign is not as pointless as some believed."

He added that the group had contacted Haig Housing and, after an initial discussion, received confirmation of their interest.

According to Shropshire Council there are currently 5,265 applications on the housing register, which includes 20 applications from those currently serving in the military, two from former military that have recently left and 20 from ex-servicemen who have left within the last five years and have links to the local area. There are also applications from 146 other former military.

"It would appear that there is significant local need but that doesn't surprise any of us," said Mr McGuigan. "Not only that, but it's being arranged for me to meet the community enablement team and armed forces covenant at Shropshire Council along with other council officials to see how this idea could move forward."