Barracks closure will be a 'devastating blow' for Pembrokeshire

There are concerns that plans to pull out hundreds of military personnel and close a base in west Wales will have a 'devastating affect' on Pembrokeshire. People living in the area were speaking following the decision to close the Cawdor Barracks in Brawdy and move 14th Signal Regiment to St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Christopher Jenkins who runs a local pub in nearby Haverfordwest says that today's news is "devastating for everyone" and another "nail in the coffin" for the local economy.

He said that it will hit every business going and said the army moving would have "knock on affect on everyone."

As part of the transfer of the 14th Signals Regiment, the 600 military personell based there will move to the vale of Glamorgan sometime after 2018.

The leader of Pembrokeshire County Council has described the news as "terrible blow" for the county.

Cllr Jamie Adams said that the area could "ill afford to lose them and the money they spend which helps boost the local economy."

The decision to relocate the Signals will see £100 million invested in the former RAF base in St Athan.

Alun Cairns, the local MP, welcomed the news saying that will would "guarantee MoD funds in the area with increased spend from soldiers through to contracts for local builders for structural projects on site."

He said that without the move "St Athan could have been closed for development purposes" but that it will now become "one of the UK’s key military bases."

Today's announcement by the Defence Secretary also sees troops currently based in Germany being returned to the UK by 2020. The Queens Dragoon Guards who will relocate from Senneleger in Germany to Swanton Mirley in Norfolk. 1st Batallion Welsh Guards will also move from Hounslow Barracks to Pirbright in Surrey.

The reorganisation of the aims to save £240 million a year and will see 11,000 troops in total returning from bases in Europe to the UK.