The Ministry of Defence is opposing plans to build up to 250 homes next to Stirling Lines, the Herefordshire base of the SAS, over fears the development could enable espionage or sabotage. Officials argue that housing so close to the site's high-security perimeter would create new opportunities for visual intelligence gathering and trespass, while also raising the risk of noise complaints that could constrain the base's operations. The dispute pits developer James Spreckley Ltd against the MoD and more than 100 local objectors, and highlights the tension between local housing demand and safeguarding sensitive military installations.

Stirling Lines houses 22 SAS, the Special Reconnaissance Regiment and 18 (UKSF) Signal Regiment, all involved in covert operations and intelligence work. The MoD has flagged concerns including trees being used as climbing aids or vantage points for surveillance, and the roughly 3,000 daily vehicle movements at the garrison potentially combining with new residential traffic to create security risks in static queues. Local residents have separately raised worries about flooding from a proposed drainage pond, pressure on nearby schools relied upon by military families, and general traffic impact, despite a Transport Assessment finding no discernible effect on the roads.