A plea to save a historic Army barracks has been made by a London MP convinced that it could play a vital role in defending London from terror attacks.
Matthew Pennycook said he does not accept that the Government’s plan to close Woolwich Barracks in 2028 is justified when it could play a key role in housing troops.
The Labour MP for Greenwich & Woolwich said: “How can it go from being a core site with a lot of investment to being on the list of 56 to be disposed of?
"Secondly, I’m not convinced the strategic case for its disposal has been made — particularly given the role Woolwich would play should a large-scale terrorist attack take place in London."
He told MPs a base in south-east London could accommodate troops if there were an attack.
“Woolwich has been a garrison town for 300 years. It’s quite difficult to imagine it without the military,” he said.
"The Grade II listed barracks, built in 1776, was saved from closure in the 2000s and redesignated as a core Army site."
The Ministry of Defence said: “The sale of Woolwich Barracks forms part of the Better Defence Estate Strategy and will ensure a modern estate fit for our personnel and their families.”
