The closure is expected to have a major effect on the local economy

Some were worried the site, due to close in 2006, could be used by the Home Office as an asylum centre.

Gill Riley, who chairs the parish council, said: "I think a lot of people were concerned about that initially but they feel a lot more reassured now."

The company which owns the homes on the site said they cannot be transferred to another government concern.

Jobs fear

Nick Vaughan, the director of Annington Property Ltd, said his firm is making the Ministry of Defence homes available through the private market to homebuyers.

He added: "The MoD is not able to transfer them to another government department for use elsewhere - the MoD could only use them to accommodate service personnel."

The parish meeting attracted 58 people to air their concerns to shadow defence minister Keith Simpson and local leaders.

Ms Riley said most of the local residents were agreed about their hopes for the RAF site.

She said: "I think ideally it would continue as a military base and people could continue their jobs there."

But she said if that does not happen, it was hoped the RAF quarters could be sold off privately and "some sort of light industry" could take the place of the military function.