PLANS for new storage building at MOD Lyneham have been given planning permission.

The building next to the single living accommodation is intended for mission critical equipment belonging to 5 Force Support Battalion, which is due to move to the former RAF base this year.

In a report Wiltshire Council's planning department said it would be located among other operational buildings and was entirely appropriate.

The base is set to undergo a major redevelopment as part of the Army Basing Programme, which is bringing home units from Germany.

Among the new facilities planned for the site are an armoury, new accommodation, offices and sports facilities.

The battalion is moving from its current bases at Bulford and Tidworth to allow 3Bn to move back to the UK.

Lyneham is then set to become a centre of of excellence for electrical and mechanical engineering.

The £35m contract was announced last year and the plan is for construction work to be finished by May next year with the first facilities to be up and running by May this year.