Stonehenge
Wiltshire clubs and voluntary organisations can sign up to enjoy military sporting facilities across the south of the county as part of a special initiative between Wiltshire Council and the Ministry of Defence (MOD).
Clubs and organisations can arrange to use the impressive range of facilities at Bulford, Tidworth, Perham Down and Larkhill.
The sharing of military sports and leisure facilities with the community is a key part of the agreement on the Army Basing Programme (ABP) which will see 4,000 Service personnel and their families move to Wiltshire in 2019.
The council and the MOD have been working closely with partner organisations to ensure the infrastructure and facilities will be in place to accommodate the new residents and help them settle into the local communities.
The Sports and Community Access Scheme (SCAS) is an important initiative within the programme demonstrating the close working of the MOD and Wiltshire Council in negotiating planning permission for MOD’s developments under the ABP.
Baroness Scott of Bybrook, OBE, Leader of Wiltshire Council said: “We have always enjoyed a good relationship with the Army and are looking forward to welcoming Service personnel and their families to Wiltshire as part of the Army Basing Programme.
“It is important communities can also benefit from this increased presence and I’m delighted we have agreed this innovative scheme which expands the range of facilities available to local community groups through use of the Army’s excellent facilities.”
Col Andrew Devey MBE, AH Infrastructure Delivery said: “The Sports and Community Access Scheme is a fantastic initiative to maximise the use of the military sports and leisure facilities across Salisbury Plain. I hope that local clubs and organisations take advantage of this opportunity made possible by the Army Basing Programme.”
Approved clubs and community or voluntary organisations will be able to use the facilities with charges for use being similar to local authority facilities. Timetables for public use will be published by Aspire Defence, the company which maintains garrison facilities across Salisbury Plain on behalf of the MOD. For more details visit the Aspire Defence website.
