Spring date the on cards for sale of Shrewsbury's Copthorne Barracks

The site, the former home of the King's Shropshire Light Infantry, has been on the market for months and has been subject to a lengthy planning process.

Now the sale process has got underway, although it is unclear who the potential buyer is.

An MoD spokesperson said: “The Copthorne Barracks site is currently being taken through the sale process by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) with the aim of completing a sale by spring 2018.”

Plans were submitted by the MoD to demolish a number of the compound's buildings, including the officer's mess, to make way for a housing development of 228 homes and 45 retirement apartments, and outline permission was given by Shropshire Council in August.

The scheme had been met with opposition from a number of quarters including from former soldiers who were dismayed at the thought that the military links with the town would be eradicated.

Prior to the application being considered planning officers attached a number of conditions to it, including that the developers, when appointed, must install a minimum of one electric vehicle plug-ready charging point at every dwelling, with an off-street car parking space prior to the first occupation of that dwelling.

They also said that a detailed travel plan must be produced before the first occupation of any part of the development and it be “approved in writing by, the local planning authority” and that the travel plan shall include support and incentives for bus, cycle use, walking and car-sharing.

A financial contribution for primary school provision of approximately £950,000 would also have to be made.

Financial contributions totalling £145,498 must also be paid by developers to Frankwell County Ground, Silks Meadow Recreation Facility and Shorncliffe Drive Recreation Facility.

Calls have come from campaign groups for part of the site to be made available to veterans and their families.

Members of Shropshire Council's planning committee said they were concerned about the loss of historic aspects of the site and granted outline approval with the stipulation that the plans should be discussed under reserved matters before full approval is given.