03/28/2024

Wales News Online

Local & National News for Wales

Army reserve centre in West Cross not for sale despite marketing exercise.

THE Reserve Forces and Cadets Association for Wales and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) have both confirmed there are no current plans to sell the 4.7-acre West Cross site.

The update has been welcomed as “really positive news” by Swansea councillor and Conservative Senedd candidate for Gower, Myles Langstone.

The MoD, however, said all its sites “are constantly open for review”.

The West Cross land, known as The Grange, was marketed by commercial agents Avison Young, which invited conditional and unconditional offers.

The move was, according to the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association, to “understand its potential”.

A spokeswoman for the association said this week:

“The exercise explored the potential of the site to support a feasibility study into options for any future development of the reserve estate.

“There are currently no plans to sell the site. If this position changes, the MoD will conduct a consultation exercise with the local community and ensure that re-provision for both Army Cadet Force and RAF Air Cadets is made either on-site or within the vicinity.”

Buildings at The Grange include two civil defence centres, two auxiliary defence establishment premises, a communication station, offices and stores.

One of the buildings is a defunct bunker-style command and control centre, with thick cement walls, several rooms – including a canteen – bunk beds, and no natural light.

Cllr Langstone, who made his own enquiries about the marketing exercise, said he was glad that cadets would still operate in the local area.

“This is really positive news for the local cadet forces, as well as for our community,” he said.

“They have had such a positive influence, providing first-class training over the last 20 years to young people aged 12 to 20 and staff members alike.

“I’m really pleased that this will continue at the current site and that I’ve received reassurance over their long-term future.”

Asked by the Local Democracy Reporter Service about the level of interest in The Grange and whether offers were made, the MoD said it didn’t comment on specific enquiries or offers.

Any future decision to sell, it said, would have to ensure the MoD obtained value for money for taxpayers.

Asked what the land’s market valuation was, an MoD spokeswoman said:

“Part of the marketing exercise was to help establish a potential market value and this valuation is ongoing.”

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