THE proposed closure of Chester's army barracks has been delayed by a further two years.

Back in 2019, we reported military chiefs had announced The Dale Barracks would close 'not before 2027', at the time a four-year delay from its original proposed closing date of 2023.

Now the Ministry of Defence's latest announcement has shown the barracks site will not be closing before 2029.

The news has been welcomed by City of Chester MP Chris Matheson, who has repeatedly campaigned to keep the barracks in Chester permanently.

Speaking to the Chester Standard, Mr Matheson said: "I have raised this in Parliament on numerous occasions and I will continue to do so, because I value the historic link between the British Army and the city of Chester.

"It makes operational sense to keep the barracks open.

"I welcome this current delay, but Conservatives still want to close the barracks; my aim is to keep it open permanently for the benefit of the Army and for Chester, and I will continue to fight the fight."

Cheshire West and Chester Conservative Cllr Jill Houlbrook said: "I’m pleased to pass on the information from the Defence Infrastructure Organisation that the barracks at Dale Camp will not be sold before 2029.

"This is very good news for Upton and for Chester and I look forward to welcoming more of our Armed Services as part of our community."

The latest Defence Estate Optimisation Programme timeline shows more than 50 Navy, Army, RAF and other military sites are due to close over the next 15 years.

The Dale Barracks has been home to the 1st Battalion Royal Welsh and the 2nd Battalion Mercian Regiment in the past. Most recently, it has been home to the 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment.