AN ANNOUNCEMENT on the future of RAF Lyneham is expected to be made in Parliament next month.

North Wiltshire MP James Gray, who has been campaigning for the future of the air base since it was earmarked for closure in 2001, said he believed an announcement in the House of Commons was likely to come around mid-July following the report of a UK-wide basing study by the Ministry of Defence.

But Mr Gray said there has been no indication from Defence Secretary Liam Fox on his campaign to allow the Army to move in.

He said: “I’m expecting an announcement in the next month or so, probably around July 14, on the basing study of all the bases in the UK.

“There has been no indication of what will be in it. Obviously we have been campaigning hard to get the Army in there but as there has been no announcement I would not say I’m hopeful.

“Liam Fox is to make a statement to the House of Commons. We will know once he has made those statements.”

The news comes after a report detailed the economic impact on the village and surrounding areas, suggesting it could be drained of £52m a year as a result of the closure.

According to the report, commissioned by Wiltshire Council and North Wiltshire Economic Partnership, around 2,600 jobs will be lost and businesses, schools and communities will feel the effects following the relocation of personnel to Brize Norton, Oxfordshire.

Mr Gray reiterated his belief that the move would have a significant impact on the area.

He said: “I’ve said that before and have said that since this began.”

Operational flying will come to an end this Friday as the remaining Hercules fleet will do a symbolic lap of Wiltshire before they fly into to RAF Brize Norton, in Oxfordshire.

At 10am, a fleet of four or five Hercs will fly over the county, swooping low as they pass over towns, so people can hear their familiar roar for the last time.

The base, which has been home to military personnel for more than 70 years, is not due to close completely until next year but the squadrons have virtually moved out already. Of the 3,500 servicemen and civilians on the base when the closure was announced in 2003, fewer than 1,000 will be left after this week.