RAF Wittering is to welcome Army personnel

The future of RAF Wittering has been secured and it is set to expand

RAF Wittering near Peterborough is set to expand under plans unveiled by the Ministry of Defence.

The station will become home to army personnel as well as continuing as a base for the RAF.

North West Cambridgeshire MP Shailesh Vara said it was good news for the local economy and pledged to support applications for its expansion.

He said: "It helps local businesses thrive and it brings revenue to our area as well."

'Very reassuring'

Wittering has had an RAF station since 1916. Concerns were raised about its future when the government scrapped Harriers as part of its defence review in October 2010.

Instead Wittering will expand and from 2015 it will become home to army personnel returning from Germany.

Mr Vara said: "There may be some planning issues involved, and of course I will be lobbying hard for local authorities on favourable planning issues."

Wing Cdr Paul McClurg, from RAF Wittering, welcomed the news.

"It's very reassuring for the service personnel and civilian staff here at RAF Wittering that the station will remain an RAF station.

"It lifts a lot of weight off people's minds," he said.