BEACHLEY Barracks is set to be closed by 2027 after a review by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

Beachley Barracks was highlighted as one of the 91 older, more expensive sites marked for disposal as part of the November 2016 review, ‘A Better Defence Estate’.

Since 2007 the barracks have been the home of 1st Battalion The Rifles, who were given the Freedom of Chepstow Town in 2011. The battalion will be relocated before the site is sold.

The MoD aims to reduce the Armed Forces estate by 30 per cent by the year 2040, investing £4 billion into relocating personnel into regional and capability clusters.

Before being transformed into an infantry barracks, an Army Apprentices School was at Beachley from 1924 to 1994, forging close links with the town of Chepstow.

Chepstow mayor, Councillor Paul Pavia said: “The recent announcement made by the Ministry of Defence on its future estates strategy will have a significant impact on the town, so much so that we have made the issue an agenda item at our meeting tonight (23rd November) to allow us to discuss our response as a council.

“Clearly there is a potential ten year reprovision window within which the 1st Battalion will withdraw and the UK Government must give a minimum two years notice.

“If we have until 2027 to plan, then that affords us more time to assess the economic impact of withdrawal, as well as allowing us further opportunities to discuss upgrading key infrastructure with both the Welsh and UK Governments should the MoD decide to sell the land off for development.

“However, if the gun is fired next year, then that puts us in a completely different situation.

“So a better understanding of timescales are important here so that we can plan appropriately.”