PLANS to move thousands of soldiers and their families to Salisbury Plain "could be delayed". 

Military sources told the Times the delay to plans would save money temporarily and there were also operational reasons for keeping soldiers in western Europe.

The plan had soldiers moving back between 2018 and 2020. 

Tidworth Area Board were told there could be a delay of up to two years in relation to the soldiers coming from Germany to the county. 

The Army Basing Programme will see almost 5,000 soldiers and their families return back from Germany to new and existing bases. 

An MOD spokesman said: “The MOD is currently carrying out a five yearly Strategic Defence and Security Review so it is only sensible to look at on-going defence projects and make sure they align with our defence needs. However, the Government’s commitment to bring back the Army from Germany by 2020 remains unchanged.”

Wiltshire Council is working with Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), the army and partner organisations in relation to the level of facilities and services including education, transport, leisure and healthcare provision for the relocation of service personnel and their families. 

A Wiltshire Council spokesman said: “We understand the Strategic Defence and Security Review is taking account of all defence projects. However, as originally announced in 2013, the Government is committed to bringing back the Army from Germany by 2020.“We are working closely with MOD and are continuing with our plans to prepare the infrastructure and provision required to welcome the service personnel to Wiltshire. This includes key planning decisions being made this year and school places being prepared to welcome 5 Rifles in 2016 to Bulford.”

Applications for service family accommodation in Ludgershall, Bulford and Larkhill have already been submitted to Wiltshire Council and will be considered at a strategic planning committee meeting. But a date has yet to be set.