An MP has received assurance that the Chipping Barnet Army Reserve Centre will remain in operational use and will not be redeveloped for housing.

Theresa Villiers, Chipping Barnet MP, said she was concerned when the centre in St Albans Road appeared on a list of sites for potential housing development in the borough’s emerging local plan.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Mrs Villiers asked the Minister for Defence Procurement Jeremy Quin if the Territorial Army centre will stay in operational use for the foreseeable future.

She said: “My constituents hold the armed services in the highest regard, so there was some serious dismay when the army reserve centre in Chipping Barnet appeared on a list of sites for potential housing development.

“Will the minister give me the strongest assurances that the Territorial Army centre will stay in operational use for the foreseeable future?”

In reply, the minister said: “I am pleased to be able to confirm to my right honourable friend that the High Barnet Army Reserve Centre has a continuing defence use and there are currently no plans for its sale.”

Speaking afterwards, Mrs Villiers added: “These were reassuring words from the Minister that I hope will put my constituents’ fears at rest.

“I remain puzzled as to why the site has been listed in the draft local plan as the Minister was told by his officials that they had not requested that this happen. I am a strong supporter of our armed services and I will keep up the pressure to retain the army reserve centre in my constituency.”

A Barnet Council spokesman said that reference to this site is made in the borough’s Local Plan, which is still at the draft stage, to reflect the Spires Planning Framework which was consulted on and adopted in 2012.

He said: “The framework outlines the vision for the planning for this area of Barnet, indicating the broad principles which should be followed in any development. The centre occupies a significant site within the Chipping Barnet area.

“Its inclusion in the Local Plan, and the Framework, seeks to ensure that in the event that it is redeveloped at any point, any future use of the site delivers good growth which helps to enhance the area.

“We welcome the clarification that the MOD has no plans to dispose of the site in the short-term. This will be reflected in a modification to the relevant section of the Draft Local Plan.”