Moves to list Fremington Army Camp could end housing plans

FREMINGTON Army Camp could become a listed site — potentially blocking extensive housing development — the North Devon Journal has discovered.

English Heritage confirmed this week it was being consulted about an application to make the camp, which was used by US military during the Second World War, a protected site.

Listing "marks and celebrates a building's special architectural and historic interest, and also brings it under the consideration of the planning system so that some thought will be taken about its future," English Heritage says.

English Heritage said it could not reveal who had asked for the camp to be listed, citing the Data Protection Act. It was also unable to say when the application was made.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport will make the final listing decision. The camp will be assessed against a number of criteria, including: age; rarity; architectural and historic interest.

Local councillor Rodney Cann, who takes a close interest in the camp, said: "I would be happy to see it listed and utilised by workers on the Atlantic Array (windfarm).

"It does serve a useful purpose for local groups also. It would be a sad loss to see it go."

North Devon MP Nick Harvey said the listing "needn't be disastrous – but could be, depending how widely it is drawn".

He asked: "What do they actually want to list? The whole site? Some of the buildings are truly appalling and can't be worth preserving, even if a few might be worth retaining as specimens. It will certainly reduce drastically the scope of what can happen at the site if significant areas are covered."

The Army camp shut without public announcement in December 2009.

● Did you apply for the camp to be listed? Please call us on 01271 347429 to tell us why, or leave a comment below.

Camp could house Atlantic Array workers - read more.