A FORMER naval air station is back in the spotlight with the Ministry of Defence set to reconsider its future.

HMS Daedalus was closed in 1996 and since then various rows about its future have broken out between county and local councillors, with residents left bemused.

But a review of important MoD sites is under way and it is looking at whether Daedalus could be considered useful or not.

A spokesman for Defence Estates said: "It is being looked at as part of a core site review of MoD properties.

"We hope that early in the New Year we will know whether it is going to be accepted or not."

He said if Daedalus was not seen as a site worth retaining, his organisation would move on with selling it.

The 494-acre base separates Fareham from Gosport, and locals say they would love to see it continue in military use.

Lee-on-Solent councillor Graham Burgess said Daedalus offered the military a superb opportunit as a base.

"It is unique because there is access by land, sea and air, which in this day and age is, I believe, of prime importance.

"We would like to see it return as a fully-operational base within the armed forces."

Councillor Burgess said residents were concerned that if the site was sold it could be used to build more houses or for gravel extraction.

Early this year Hampshire County councillors were considering using the base for extraction, but this was opposed by Gosport Borough Council, which created a conservation area on the site to protect the historic buildings.