A SENIOR opposition councillor has raised the prospect that the redevelopment of the Sir John Moore Barracks could be derailed.

Councillor Caroline Horrill voiced fears that the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) was looking to pull out of the redevelopment.

The barracks at Flowerdown near Littleton opened in the late 1980s but has been due to close amid defence cutbacks.

Planners had been looking at the large site for housing, a potential business park and park and ride.

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Cllr Horrill asked at full Council: "Can the Cabinet Member please advise what is the Local Plan back up plan when the DIO pull out of redeveloping Sir John Moore Barracks? Where are the circa 1,000 homes going to be located, given you need the buffer housing numbers to cover the PfSH requirements?”

In reply, Cabinet member for Place and Local Plan Cllr Jackie Porter said: "Our officer team are working with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) on options for the site and the DIO has a pre-app agreement in place.

"There is, therefore, no indication that the DIO has any intention of pulling out of redeveloping the Barracks or that an alternative plan is needed. There is also no current 'PfSH requirement' which means the buffer could not be used to cover the risk that a confirmed site falls away or that the Inspector removes a site."

Speaking to the Chronicle, Cllr Horrill said she did not have specific information that the DIO was pulling out, but said that compared to the development at Bushfield Camp, the scheme appeared becalmed.

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"I'm concerned that for a site that is proposed in the local plan to take (900) houses for the district we don't have a cohesive approach. There does not appear to be a clear plan for that site. I'm worried about the lack of an agreement and the lack of progress we are making on such a significant site."

Cllr Horrill said local people were worried that undeveloped open countryside could be deemed as 'brownfield' and thus open for development. They have raised the issue but it is still unclear what stance the DIO will take over the land.

Another concern is that Littleton Parish Council would like assurances that the gaps between and other places will not be eroded by any development. "People feel they are not being listened to by the DIO. The silence from the DIO fuels my questions. There have been no meetings or public consultations at all for a year. There have been meetings within the council but not at a public forum"

The DIO has been asked for a comment.

The barracks is due to be disposed of in 2026 but there has been speculation that the war in Ukraine will alter the Government's defence spending plans.