Norton Manor Marine Camp, Taunton, still set to close

The comments, by Gavin Williamson, were made in response to a Parliamentary question by Taunton Deane MP Rebecca Pow, with the defence secretary stating the unit would be in Taunton for a ‘long time into the future’.

Plans to close Norton Manor Camp, home of 40 Commando, were announced in 2016 by then-defence secretary Sir Michael Fallon.

CLOSING: Norton Manor camp 

The Norton Fitzwarren camp was among 56 Ministry of Defence sites to close across the UK, with the Marines believed to be moving to the Plymouth area.

But in Parliament, Mr Williamson said there were ‘no plans’ to close the camp.

Yet the MoD has confirmed the plans outlined in 2016 currently remain unchanged.

The exchange began as Ms Pow said she was ‘delighted’ to hear about the Government’s commitment to keeping the UK’s two amphibious ships, HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, before turning her attention to 40 Commando.

“I am delighted that the Secretary of State has seen fit to protect our amphibious capability—HMS Bulwark and HMS Albion —and their related technologies, both new and conventional.

“These are such crucial tools for the Marines.

“On that note ... could the Secretary of State fully understand and comprehend the importance of 40 Commando to my town of Taunton in his assessment of future capabilities?”

MP Williamson ‘absolutely reassured’ her there were no plans to move 40 Commando from Taunton.

He said: “In terms of 40 Commando in Taunton, I can absolutely reassure her that there are no plans to move 40 Commando from Taunton and they will be there for a long time in the future.”

Ms Pow says she will be seeking ‘clarification’ over the statement.

She added: “I welcome the Secretary of State’s comments in the chamber confirming the presence of 40 Commando in Taunton for the foreseeable future.

“I will be writing to him for clarification of his statement and pressing for more detail regarding their future at Norton Camp beyond 2028.

“The Marines are much valued in the local community and play a key role both nationally and on the international stage.”

CONCERNED: Gideon Amos

Gideon Amos, a hopeful Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate, campaigned to save the camp following the announcement of its closure in 2016.

He said the comments made in parliament ‘don’t add up’.

He added: “It’s amazing what my campaign, working together with people of all parties and none, has achieved - only last year Taunton’s Conservative MP was defending the closure decision - she now seems to have lost some enthusiasm for the idea.

“The Conservatives are either in complete disarray or their plans to close the Camp are beginning to falter.

“I strongly urge people to keep signing my petition against the closure until the Government’s assault on Norton Manor Camp has turned into a full scale retreat.”

The Ministry of Defence offered little explanation for the MP’s comments, but confirmed plans were still in place to close the marine base and said the defence secretary’s comments in parliament were ‘vague’.

A spokesman said, however, there were no plans to move the marines from the South West - a topic never in question.

He said: “We have no plans to move 40 Commando out of the South West and it is our intent they remain there.

“The Better Defence Estate strategy is a large-scale programme which will be delivered over 25 years and plans continue to be refined and adapted to best support operational capability.”