FEARS that an army barracks in Hampshire could become housing were raised in a council committee.

The future of what will happen to Sir John Moore Barracks in Winchester is still up in the air.

As reported, the facility is due to close after the Ministry of Defence announced their intention to dispose of the land.

But it is not known whether the site will be sold off to a housing developer, or if it can be used for business space.

Sir John Moore Barracks, at Littleton only opened in 1986 but is now surplus to requirements by the MoD.

Michael Fallon, Secretary of State for Defence, made the announcement in the House of Commons in November last year.

Former city council leader Stephen Godfrey had hoped that the land could become a science park, and this idea was endorsed by the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, and Winchester MP Steve Brine also spoke of the need for the land to be used commercially.

However Liberal Democrat councillor Kelsie Learney said she has heard rumours that the site will become housing and pressed for an update.

Council leader Caroline Horrill said: “It is sad that the MoD decided to consolidate the facility it is an outstanding facility with a lot of gains for the locality.

“The Defence Infrastructure Organisation are tasked with getting good value for that site, but they are absolutely considering various options on that and there has been conversations with the M3 Local Enterprise and they are in dialogue with us.

“They said they want to close and their timetable is by 2020.

“That debate goes on and we are less in control of that from a planning point of view and we have had some early discussions with the local parish council to let them know.

“We know that there is a desire for the military to consolidate their estates and get the best value for them and it is our job to make sure that site and others contribute to the benefit of our residents, visitors and businesses.”

Lib Dem councillor Therese Evans questioned whether the plans to build a science park are still hoped, and former council leader Stephen Godfrey answered: “There is no change to the situation in the last few months.”