Army
MoD Considers Demolishing 200 Houses At Army Base
The MoD is considering demolishing 200 houses at Ballykinler Army base in Northern Ireland.
The homes have been lying empty since the resident battalion left the base two years ago, although parts of it are still in regular use by the Army and police for training purposes.
The adjacent Abercorn Barracks part of the base, where the houses are, isn't being used however.
Local David McMullan told the BBC the houses should be sold on the open market as they were recently refurbished:
"A lot of the houses are in very good condition. The officers' houses are quite big and have good-sized gardens. It would be a terrible waste of taxpayers' money if they were tossed."
The Army sold off 317 houses at Ballykinler six years ago, giving many people, like Malcolm Johnson, a chance to own a home:
"The houses were sold quite cheaply so it gave people a chance to get on the housing ladder. It's nice and quiet here. It's a nice place to live."
But councillor Henry Reilly, a former Royal Irish soldier who was based at Ballykinler, has pointed out that with parts of the base still being used for training and as a firing range, converting the former barracks into a civilian residential area might not be straightforward.
Instead, he advocates moving a battalion back in there.
For their part, the MoD has said:
"With the reduction in military footprint we are not using the barracks as a base and Defence Infrastructure Organisation will be looking at a range of options. Demolition has not actually started and remains one of a number of options being examined."
More: 'From Civvy to Soldier'
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