The county's Beachley Barracks, near Chepstow, are set to close as part of a major shake-up by the Ministry of Defence.

Beachley is home to the 1st Battalion of The Rifles, formerly the Glorious Glosters, with their famous Back Badge.

According to the Ministry review, 'A Better Defence Estate',

Beachley Barracks are set to close by 2027.

The review is the most significant change to defence sites since the Second World War with 91 sites set to be sold. The Ministry says the money from the sales will be reinvested back into defence, creating areas of military expertise in specific locations around the country.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: "We have been spending billions maintaining a defence estate that doesn't meet the needs of our Armed Forces.

"This plan delivers an estate fit for our forces and their families. By putting money where it is needed, we will provide better facilities to train our Armed Forces and deliver more stability for military families.

As well as saving the taxpayer money - around £140 million by the end of the decade - the changes will reduce the number of personnel being regularly moved between different bases, providing greater long-term stability and certainty for our Armed Forces and their families."

More than 32,500 acres of excess defence land is being released, including ten surplus airfields and five golf courses, which will support the MOD in achieving its target to provide enough land for 55,000 homes, helping the Government contribute to its target of 160,000 new homes by 2020.

The MOD currently controls around 2 per cent of UK land, owning more than 568,000 acres in the UK (either freehold or leasehold) and holding the rights over a further 548,573 acres.

Pictures: Ministry of Defence

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