UP to 80 jobs could be affected by Army proposals to transfer a brigade headquarters, it was said yesterday.

Civil servants at Imphal Barracks, in York, the headquarters of 15 Brigade, said they were deeply worried by the plans to move to Catterick Garrison.

Many say they would be unable to move with their job or commute to the garrison, near Richmond, North Yorkshire.

One said: “Everyone is very worried and morale is very low. There is a sense of panic among some people.”

York MP Hugh Bayley has tabled questions about the proposals to Defence Secretary Liam Fox.

Mr Bayley, who has asked for the estimated costs of bringing Bourlon Barracks, at Catterick, up to standard for use as a headquarters, said he has been told the bill could come to £15m.

He also asked for the costs of redundancy and recruitment and questioned whether a full investment appraisal would be carried out before a decision was taken on where to locate 15 Brigade’s headquarters.

Ian Craven, vice-chairman of the Yorkshire branch of the PCF civil servants’ union, said: “At the moment, there is still a lack of information and engagement at a local level in terms of understanding the criteria for assessing the site at York and any other locations.”

Ian MacLaren, a retired Imphal civil servant and union official of 40 years’ experience, said up to 80 York jobs were at risk.

He said: “There is no economic justification for moving 15 Brigade from custombuilt accommodation within Imphal Barracks to an empty accommodation block at Catterick Garrison.

“The cost of bringing that barrack block up to a modern office specification, including installing a secure Defence Information Network, would be in the region of £15m.”

An Army spokeswoman said: “All Ministry of Defence assets are currently being reviewed and various proposals nationwide are being considered.

All staff have been informed at each stage of the process.

“However, no final decision or costings on a move to Catterick have been made.

“Any move will need ministerial decision.”