Is Ministry of Defence opting for demolition to avoid paying rates?
In a week in which the US’ ability to pay its armed forces was thrown into the spotlight comes news that the UK’s Ministry of Defence might be resorting to demolition to avoid paying rates on a number of buildings at a combined RAF and Army camp in St Athan, Wales.
According to reports, demolition of East Camp will start next week and is set to last until September. This will mark the end of three of the four expansion-era workshops, the unique gym/swimming pool/cinema/church building, watertower, a Quedgeley type stores, and various smaller buildings plus 1960s era barrack blocks and airmens mess.
Rumours abound that the demolition is taking place to avoid a hefty rates bill, according to the Glamorgan GEM newspaper which asked: “Are these buildings being knocked down to save paying rates?”
An MoD spokeswoman responded to The GEM with the following, and less-than-enlightening statement: “An MoD-funded contract for a limited quantity of demolition in St Athan East Camp was let by the Welsh Government due to their ownership of the site.
“This stabilisation work at East Camp in St Athan was undertaken to ensure the health and safety of those continuing to use the site.”
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