185 Military Personnel To Remain In Paderborn

Normandy Barracks, Sennelager (Image: Stadt Paderborn).

One hundred and eighty-five military personnel and 60 Ministry of Defence civilians will continue to live in Paderborn with their family members, the MoD has confirmed.

The figure came after the Paderborn local government announced that 200 British Army soldiers would be staying.

In addition, British troops will also continue to use Sennelager Training Area.

The 45 square mile facility allows for large-scale manoeuvres to be rehearsed and there is also an urban warfare training centre.

Welsh Guards used the site's combined arms tactical trainer to prepare to deploy to Afghanistan.

Paderborn's local government said efforts to convert the Sennelager Training Area into a national park “would be put on hold”.

There are currently around 4,000 British military personnel living and working in Germany.

A press release from the local government explained that 600 to 700 Britons will continue to live in Sennelager and operate at Normandy and Athlone Barracks - a number that would account for the families of around 200 personnel.

The press release says:

"About 600 to 700 Britons will continue to live in Sennelager."

The President of the NRW State Parliament, André Kuper, Paderborn's District Administrator Manfred Müller and Mayor Michael Dreier said they had been informed by Commander of the British Armed Forces in Germany, Brigadier Richard Clements.

Mayor Michael Dreier said: "This is very good news for Paderborn, especially for Schloss Neuhaus and Sennelager, because the barracks Athlone and Normandy, as well as a large number of apartments, will continue to be used.

"At the same time, this decision is also a good day for the Bundeswehr site in Augustdorf."

An Army spokesperson said: "The British Army is committed to supporting critical NATO assets in Germany, including a combined river crossing capability and facilities to allow for joint training.

"There is a requirement to enhance support to NATO and to strengthen ties with our European allies.

"We are committing to a combined river crossing capability with the German Army (Bundeswehr), known as the M3 wide-wet gap crossing capability, and associated shared facilities in Minden.

"We will also use the Training Area at Sennelager and supporting infrastructure in Germany to enable live fire training by UK and NATO forces."