The Government is being urged to consult the local community before deciding on the fate on the country’s leading rehabilitation centre for injured servicemen.

Last February, the Epsom Guardian revealed that plans by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to create a new £300m complex in the Midlands, to replace Headley Court, near Epsom, had been met with shock and surprise.

Headley Court, an institution that has had very strong local support, boasts state-of-the-art facilities and a world-class team of 400 staff who have helped to rebuild the lives of so many injured servicemen and women.

An outline planning application was submitted to Rushcliffe Council last year to turn Stanford Hall, an 18th Century estate near Loughborough, into a "state-of-the-art centre for military personnel suffering from physical and psychological trauma" by 2017.

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The Jubilee Rehabilitation Complex at Headley Court was opened in 2012 

This is despite the huge amounts of investment which have been injected into Headley Court in recent years.

A cutting-edge Medicinema, launched with funds raised by the Royal British Legion, opened there last October, a £17m MoD-funded treatment and accommodation centre was launched in September 2012, and a £8.5m Help for Heroes Rehabilitation Centre was opened in 2010.

A decision by the Ministry of Defence on the new Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre (DNRC) project was due at the end of 2013, but has not materialised.

It has said that it does not own Headley Court and if a decision is taken by government ministers to establish a DNRC, the future use of the site will be decided by the Headley Court trustees.

Mole Valley Lib Dem councillor David Preedy, who represents Headley, believes Government ministers must engage with the area’s community to ensure all possible uses for Headley Court are investigated before its future role is decided.

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Phil Tufnell at Headley Court last year

At a meeting of Mole Valley Council on Tuesday, he submitted a motion to this effect which was approved by councillors. 

He believes an outright closure of Headley Court as a military facility is now under serious consideration by the MoD if a DNRC was to be approved.

Addressing the council, he said: "There are obvious local concerns about future uses for an important site in the greenbelt. 

"It is considered likely that some of the medical experts may decide not to move elsewhere and some of the expertise that has been developed at Headley Court may be lost.

"Finally, there will no longer be a role for the Help for Heroes centre that so many people contributed towards."

Councillor Simon Ling agreed: "It has developed a massive reputation locally, nationally and internationally. 

"It would be a setback if such expertise was not retained and developed."

Councillor Caroline Salmon said Headley Court was an "amazing facility" which was reflected in it being given the Freedom of Mole Valley last year.   

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The Queen and Prince Philip visited Headley Court last year

In a statement, the MoD said: "In October 2011 we announced the findings of a feasibility study into the concept of a DNRC. 

"The study made a convincing case for establishing a new facility in the Midlands. Work on the project is underway, however no decision has yet been taken."

Peter Haslam, a spokesman for Headley Court, also said no decision has been made, but it is staff members are being kept informed.

He said: "During Christmas we were visited by our commanding officer Surgeon Captain Paul Hughes who talked to the civilian staff.

"A final decision is yet to be made.  He said that a decision is imminent and due by early April. 

"They can’t delay it, they have to say yes or no.  At this point, no decision has been promulgated.

"The commanding officer knew it would be on the mind of civilian staff because over 50 per cent are civilians. 

"It’s very much in their minds and all staff are being kept up to speed."

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The Epsom Guardian reported on the potential closure of Headley Court last February

Last February, Epsom resident Tony Goatham, whose son Alwyn is due to return to Afghanistan this year, said he would be very upset if Headley Court was shut down.

He said: "I would be very, very surprised and shocked because of the amount Help for Heroes has put into it.

"My son Ashley climbed Britain and Ireland’s five great peaks last summer to raise money and all my Christmas presents were from Help for Heroes."

Help for Heroes said it was not able to comment until a decision is made.

At yesterday’s council meeting, Coun Preedy paid tribute to the "respected centre of excellence in the sadly necessary task of helping badly injured service personnel".

He said: "Only a couple of weeks ago it was reported that they had developed the world’s first prosthetic limbs controlled by the mind. 

"They have set very high goals for their rehabilitation. 

"Our community is rightly proud of the amazing work that they are doing - both in terms of the quality of care and the leading-edge technology they have developed."

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Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, opened the Jubilee Rehabilitation Complex in 2012 

Stanford Hall is a grade 2 listed building, set in 3,600-acre grounds, which was bought in 2011 by the Duke of Westminster. He has offered the MoD use of the site for a DNRC.

According to the DNRC project’s website, Headley Court is a small site and, despite continuing investment, its ability to develop will soon be limited.

It said the new centre would be easier to reach for service personnel and their families than Epsom and the Midlands has become the main focus for defence medicine.

It also plans to share its facilities and expertise in trauma rehabilitation with injured civilians.

Headley Court, which opened in 1950, is set on an 85-acre site, owned by the Headley Court Trust, and funded by the MoD.

It was originally used by the RAF as a rehabilitation and convalescent home for injured personnel.

Celebrities Barbara Windsor and Nick Frost are due to visit Headley Court in the next fortnight to meet patients and lend their support to the centre.

What do you think about the potential closure of Headley Court?  Have you helped to raise money for its facilities?  Contact Hardeep Matharu on the newsdesk on 020 8722 636, email hmatharu@london.newsquest.co.uk, or leave a comment below.