AN SNP MSP has called on the Ministry of Defence to end the uncertainty surrounding plans to relocate Army personnel to Leuchars.
Rod Campbell, the MSP for North East Fife, spoke after Fife Council publicly warned that uncertainty surrounding the makeup of forces that will be moved to the former RAF base and the timing of when moves will take place are hindering efforts to plan local services.
Campbell said: “This timely warning from Fife Council shows the practical problems that the continuing uncertainty at the MoD causes to communities around military bases and the local authorities that have to prepare for the arrival of new troops.
“The local authority needs sufficient time to plan and implement adequate services for soldiers moving to the base, but they are currently not getting the clarity they need from the Ministry of Defence.
“If the MoD will not make clear exactly what their plans are now, then the least that we deserve is a definitive statement of when these final decisions will be made.
“It is unreasonable to prolong the uncertainty that is taking place indefinitely and not for the first time it seems the MoD is failing to take into account the needs of Scotland.”
The MoD has said RAF Leuchars will remain as a flying station to the end of 2013, would go through a “transition” phase by the end of 2014, with the first Army units due to arrive in 2015.