News Release

27September 2007

FABRICANT TO INTERCEDE WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICE ON WHITTINGTON BARRACKS PLANS

Michael Fabricant has welcomed the decision to approve planning permission to transform the Whittington Barracks at Lichfield into a new headquarters for the Defence Medical Education and Training Agency (DMETA). "I have been lobbying the Secretary of State for Defence, Des Browne, hard to secure the long-term future for the barracks ever since the Government announced its plans to close the Army Training Regiment in Lichfield. I know that other West Midlands bases including Cosford and Stafford were in the frame for the DMETA base so the final choice of Lichfield was excellent news" says Michael Fabricant. "But objections from the Government Office for the West Midlands could put paid to the Barracks' new role.

"I will now intercede with the Government Office so they can have no doubt that I support the Ministry of Defence's plans for the Barracks at Whittington and that I will not countenance any objection from them. The long period of doubt over the future of the barracks was causing a blight on local house prices and making planning for organisations like the primary school in Whittington very difficult. What we need now is certainty over the Barracks' future.

"The influx of doctors and nurses to our area will be good news for businesses in Lichfield and will help stimulate the local economy.

"Meanwhile, I will continue to work with the Trustees of the Staffordshire Regimental Museum to ensure its long term funding and a successful future."