A NUMBER of Cornwall’s MPs have joined forces to fight for the future of one of the county’s most important military heritage sites, warning that Bodmin Keep must be preserved and reopened for future generations.

The MPs and leader of Cornwall Council have written jointly to government minister MP Luke Pollard, urging the Ministry of Defence to provide funding to help bring the historic building back into public use.

Bodmin Keep has been closed since August 2024, when serious structural problems were discovered, leaving the museum without visitors or ticket income.

The group is backing a £3.6-million funding request from the Ministry of Defence, which would provide £1-million for urgent structural repairs and £2.6-million in match funding to unlock further investment from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and other organisations.

The letter said: “We are writing jointly, as Cornwall’s Members of Parliament and the Leader of Cornwall Council, to urge you to give due consideration to funding that would enable Bodmin Keep to secure its future and reopen its doors to the public.”

They stressed the unique place the Keep holds in Cornwall’s history and the importance of protecting its links with generations of military personnel and their families.

“We cannot stress how important and unique Bodmin Keep is, as we write united, across party lines, recognising the enormous value it brings to the Duchy,” they said. “Its collection, its links to Cornwall’s military history, and its importance to our military communities, make a very clear and compelling case for securing its long-term future.”

The letter was signed by Ben Maguire, MP for North Cornwall; Noah Law, MP for St Austell and Newquay; Perran Moon, MP for Camborne, Redruth and Hayle; Andrew George, MP for St Ives; and Cornwall Council leader Cllr Leigh Frost.

Bodmin Keep dates back to 1859 and was originally built as the headquarters and depot of the Cornish Militia and Volunteers. It later became the headquarters of the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry.

Today, the museum cares for more than 20,000 objects documenting more than 300 years of military history, from weapons and uniforms to personal letters written on battlefields.

The site played a significant role during both World Wars, with more than 2,000 soldiers stationed there during the First World War. During the Second World War, US forces occupied the site while preparing for the D-Day invasion.

Cornwall’s Regimental Museum CIO, which runs the museum, wants to take ownership of the building and carry out the necessary repairs before transforming the site into a modern museum.

Despite the closure, the charity has continued its education and outreach work, staging community events, pop-up exhibitions and family activities in the courtyard.

The MPs believe the proposed investment will help address future liabilities associated with the Army estate.

“We hope your department will view this as a very sensible and pragmatic investment that delivers benefits for the MOD and Cornwall’s military heritage,” they said.

They have urged the minister to give the proposal his “fullest consideration” and support efforts to secure the funding needed.