RAF base closure to be 'reviewed'
BBC News
14th December 2005
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/4525486.stm
Plans to relocate a Northumberland RAF base with the loss of 700 jobs are to be reviewed, it has been revealed.
The jobs which are under threat are within the Air Combat Service Support unit at RAF Boulmer.
But the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has written to Liberal Democrat MP for Berwick, Alan Beith, saying plans were being reviewed because of cost worries.
Mr Beith said he now hoped the move would be scrapped and is hoping to meet Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram.
Best value
But in his letter, Mr Ingram said: "In light of increased site preparation cost estimates at RAF Scampton, we have decided to review whether this location remains the best value for money option for all the units concerned and are considering possible alternative locations."
Northumberland County Council and Alnwick District Council have been lobbying the government for a package of support measures to help minimise the consequences claiming the move would deprive the county of £18m a year.
Mr Beith said: "The best value for money option is to keep RAF Boulmer as it is, following the multi-million pound refurbishment which has just been carried out there.
"I always believed the plans to move would start to unravel once the costs became clear and real money had to be found."
The proposed wind down of the base and transfer was planned to take place between 2009 and 2012.