WORKERS on the planned new Atlantic Array wave-farm in the Bristol Channel could live at Fremington Army Camp, according to North Devon MP Nick Harvey.

Mr Harvey has tabled parliamentary questions asking what plans the Government has to house Array construction workers from a possible Yelland base.

The Crown Estates announced in January that RWE npower renewables will develop a £4 billion project to put an offshore wind farm in the Bristol Channel. The project has the potential to pump millions into North Devon's economy and provide hundreds of jobs.

Mr Harvey said: "I am a keen supporter of the proposed Atlantic Array offshore wind farm and welcome its recent go-ahead from Government.

"It will be an economic bonanza for whichever is its host port and Yelland in North Devon is competing with alternatives in South Wales to secure this role.

"One possible advantage for Yelland is that just two miles away the Ministry of Defence has recently closed the Army training camp at Fremington. That is a decision I think they will come to regret but it is too late to reverse it.

"I am asking defence ministers what plans they have for the site in the short and longer terms. Options for housing development are complicated by the minimal access to the site, and to English Heritage having taken an unexpected interest.

"But one way of putting it to use in the short term might be to explore the feasibility of it housing construction workers from a potential Yelland base for the Atlantic Array. There could be as many as 3,000 workers during the construction phase."

According to the North Devon Local Plan, which was adopted in July 2006, development will be permitted at the camp for a "range of uses" including 200 dwellings, including at least 50 affordable homes.

Offices, light industry and recreational open space could also appear on the 35-acre site near the Taw estuary.

A draft district council "joint core strategy", which is out for consultation, also makes provision for new housing and development in Fremington.

The current local plan states: "If the site does become available during the plan period, a development brief will be required to ensure the Army camp is comprehensively redeveloped with a mix of residential, business, recreational and community uses."

Local councillor Rodney Cann shares Mr Harvey's views on the camp. He added: "I am concerned that careful consideration is given to issues such as traffic management during the construction main period to minimise the impact on local residents.

"It is also important that long term damage to the estuary is avoided by careful planning in what is an environmentally sensitive area."

The Army camp shut without public announcement in December 2009.