PORTON Down is to become one of only three core research centres for the ministry of defence, following the news that 850 members of staff are to be transferred to the site near Salisbury.

As part of a rationalisation programme, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory staff currently based at Farnborough, Malvern, Winfrith, Glasgow, Bedford and Rosyth are to be withdrawn from those sites.

More than half will move to Dstl Porton Down, which will also become home to the corporate headquarters, with a further 550 moving to Portsdown West, near Portsmouth.

Martin Earwicker, chief executive at Dstl, said: "I believe this is an excellent opportunity for Dstl and its employees.

"The co-location of staff and the new accommodation will create the environment, both physical and intellectual, where people can develop their potential to the full.

"It is a big step towards Dstl's vision of creating a cohesive centre of scientific excellence, with world-class facilities."

Robert Key, MP for Salisbury, said: "It is, of course, very good news for south Wiltshire.

"There will be a substantial new build at Porton Down of not only the new group headquarters, which is moving from Farnborough, but also new state-of-the-art laboratories.

"It means, without any doubt, that Porton Down facilities will be world-class."

But some are concerned about the strain that more than doubling the number of staff at Dstl Porton Down will put on local facilities.

Leader of Salisbury district council Kevin Wren said: "The first we knew of this announcement was last Friday but it could mean very good news.

"However, our concerns are the potential strain on the whole infrastructure of the area, particularly the Bourne Valley.

"Salisbury district council intends to liaise very closely with the director of Dstl Porton Down, to enable us to consider fully the implications of this government announcement."

Jane Scott, leader of Wiltshire county council, said: "We welcome the news that more jobs will be coming to the county.

"We are awaiting further details from the ministry of defence and we will be talking to them about the impact this will have in due course."

Some of the areas expected to come under increased pressure are education, housing, transport, health and social services. At Idmiston primary, Porton Down's nearest school, joint headteacher Linda Dale told the Journal they would be able to accommodate another 15 children.

"After that, we would welcome any new children into our community but we would be relying on the local education authority and diocese to support us in that financially," she said.

And with the increased demand for houses in Porton and surrounding area, local property values could soar.

Simon Cumming, divisional director of Goadsby & Harding, said: "Whether the forthcoming relocation of staff into Porton Down will cause any significant rise in property values will be determined by the balance between the level of supply of properties and the number of buyers at any given time.

"The increased demand will underpin market conditions and, we believe, maintain a balance in market conditions in favour of sellers."

The transfer of staff to Dstl Porton Down is expected to be complete by late 2007.