The future of the RAF Mildenhall site

By   March 12, 2016
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Three-ship takes off from RAF MildenhallForest Heath announces dates for base meetings

Dates have been set for a series of public engagement sessions which will discuss the local priorities regarding the future of the RAF Mildenhall site.

Forest Heath District Council will be meeting with Government departments including the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Department for Transport, ahead of three engagement sessions in April and May.

Leader of Forest Heath District Council, Cllr James Waters said: “The MoD announced earlier this year its intention to release part of the site for housing while still considering if it wants to keep the rest of the site for military use.

“What we can say with certainty is The US Department of Defense has not published a detailed timetable for the withdrawal of personnel from RAF Mildenhall, and no planning applications for housing on the site have been submitted to us as the local planning authority to decide, nor has consultation with us over this taken place. We don’t know how much of the site is to be released by the MoD.

“There is still the possibility of any number of options for the future of the site. So what do we want to achieve from this site? We believe it is a mix of new employment, housing, an improved skills sector and better local education all of which will benefit living standards of the local area.

“We believe this is a prime site for business growth– a chance for Mildenhall to capitalise on the science and innovation sector spilling out of Cambridge, and to replace the local jobs that will be lost when the base closes.

“We held a series of very successful engagement sessions last year. Now, following both the MoD announcement and our discussions with the Government we believe the time is right to hold these meetings in our communities again to discuss not just people’s concerns, but the options for the future. We also hope to have an answer from the Government soon as to whether aviation use can be considered among these options.

“These meetings will help us as we continue the work with our communities and businesses on the one hand, and on the other partners including our MP, Suffolk County Council, Local Enterprise Partnerships, and the USAF, to ensure we are well placed to lead the regeneration of this site.”

The engagement sessions will take place on:

  • 18 April – 6pm – at Forest Heath District Council, College Heath Road, Mildenhall
  • 9 May- 6pm – at The Jubilee Centre in Mildenhall
  • 13 May – 6pm – at Beck Row Community Centre

 

Booking is essential – members of the public wishing to attend should email malag@westsuffolk.gov.uk